Hi! My name is Amber Burns, and I am in my Senior year at Longwood University. I am a Liberal Studies major, with a concentration in Special Education, with a minor in English, and a scholar of the Cormier Honors College.
As early as I can remember, I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to help people. Sure, this changed from wanting to be a nurse, all the way to an astronaut at one point, but my mind always brought itself back to the goal of becoming a teacher. I have always tutored my friends throughout school, and even helped teach lessons in my high school years. My senior year of high school, I got to have an aid position in my school’s special education class and every other day, I would be a teaching assistant and get to help teach those students about all things from cooking meals for themselves to counting numbers. It was the highlight of my high school career, and I knew from that moment on, that Special Education is where I belonged.
Longwood quickly became my home away from home, and aside from learning how to become the teacher that I’ve dreamed of, I have started to become involved in campus life. During my Freshman year, I was invited to join the Special Education Ambassadors in December of 2019, and have been elected as one of the leaders of the Special Projects Committee, the Service chair, and most recently the Chair for the fall 2021 semester. I have also volunteered with the Longwood Life program, as well as volunteered with numerous events for the Cormier Honors College, including the prospective student day.
Additionally, I was hired with the First Year Experience department as a Peer Mentor for the summer and fall of 2020. During my Sophomore year, I also joined Kappa Delta Pi International Honors Society in Education, as well as Order of Omega Greek Honors Society, where I have been elected as the Greek Awards Chair. I also became a sister of the Gamma Lambda chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, where I am the Director of Ritual. With 3 leadership positions and a full course load, I had a lot on my plate, but I am thrilled to have these opportunities thanks to Longwood.
Heading into my senior year, I was elected president of my sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. This was a big undertaking, but it has provided me with such amazing experience with what it takes to be a leader of such a large organization of women. I also remained the Chair of Special Education Ambassadors through the end of my Junior year, but I decided to step down the beginning of my senior year in order to train and coach the new Chair prior to me being consumed with student teaching. I also was elected as the Vice President of Order of Omega, and I have really enjoyed this new experience with this position. I also was tapped into the Geist chapter of Mortar Board, which has been an amazing experience getting to help plan one of Longwood’s biggest traditions, Oktoberfest.
As my time at Longwood is coming to a close, looking back on my time I have really left my mark on campus, and have made the most of my opportunities here. I am excited to see what my next chapter of life will bring, but my experience at Longwood will always hold a special place in my heart.