香蕉视频

In fall 2023, the Altoona, Pa., native joined her sister, a Physician Assistant Studies student, on the Bluff. Cassidy began classes in another school, but second thoughts about her major crept in. Despite these early nerves, she celebrated the first Thursday of classes with friends. Chinese food was on the menu, and the group took turns cracking cookies open to reveal their fortunes. 
 
鈥淔ollow your heart, not your mind,鈥� read Cassidy鈥檚. 
 
鈥淚鈥檓 very much a signs person,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f I feel like there鈥檚 a sign, I take it.鈥�
 
The next day, Cassidy had a thoughtful, productive conversation with her Student Success Coach, who took the time to mentor her.
 
鈥淚鈥檓 supposed to be a twelfth-grade English teacher,鈥� Cassidy told her confidently.

A seamless transition

Grateful that Duquesne has the depth and breadth to make the most of her ambitions, Cassidy was enrolled in the School of Education and attending classes by Monday. She credits support from faculty and staff for walking alongside her and making it happen so quickly.
 
鈥淓veryone in the School of Education was so inviting,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 never had to worry that I didn鈥檛 belong because everyone was fantastic in this transition.鈥�
 
Now a double-major in Secondary Education and English, Cassidy is excited to become the first in her family to become a teacher.  
 
She experienced some challenges in high school鈥攁mong them a serious car accident鈥攖hat affected her motivation and ability to keep up with schoolwork. One teacher in particular showed her grace and supported her throughout her recovery. 
 
鈥淏eing a teacher isn鈥檛 just giving assignments,鈥� said Cassidy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also caring for your students.鈥�

Hands-on learning 

Inspiration from past teachers and her experiences as a School of Education ambassador help Cassidy hone the type of teacher she aspires to be鈥攚arm, welcoming and caring. She already has a running start on a meaningful career thanks to early field placements in area schools and the enduring connections she鈥檚 formed. 
 
鈥淚 was placed in a third through fifth grade special education classroom because I'm also getting a special education certification,鈥� said Cassidy. 鈥淪ome students were non-vocal, and some students were high functioning. But I was able to connect with all of them on a personal level.鈥�
 
Cassidy was particularly touched by kind gestures on her last day at the field placement. Each student presented her with a handmade card, and several approached her for hugs. 

鈥淚 can go through as many classroom management classes as I want; I can take extra credits,鈥� said Cassidy. 鈥淚 can be taught by the best professors in the world, but the only thing that is really going to prepare me is going into the classroom.鈥�

Character-building experiences

Just as Cassidy has found her passion, she discovered independence and self-confidence during a horizon-expanding semester in Rome. It was her first time on a plane, and she didn鈥檛 know anyone in the program. Despite some nerves, she took solo trips throughout England and Italy in addition to traveling with her cohort. 
 
鈥淚 wanted to prove to myself that I can do stuff independently; I can figure things out,鈥� said Cassidy. 鈥淪elf-discovery is very important to me and something you have to value as a teacher.鈥�

As the semester abroad wound down, Cassidy felt herself thinking about her friends and experiences on the Bluff鈥攚eekend karaoke, late-night campus walks and conversations on Rooney Field, and dinners in Oakland. 
 
鈥淗ow lucky am I that I have friends waiting for me?鈥� she asked herself. 鈥淚鈥檓 so lucky that experiences back home sounded even more appealing than the amazing experience of visiting other countries.鈥� 

Now happily settled back in Pittsburgh, Cassidy is grateful for the many opportunities she鈥檚 had to dig into what she鈥檚 good at and reflect on why that鈥檚 good for the world鈥攁ll while feeling supported in the same ways she aspires to care for future students. 
 
鈥淚 can teach my students about syntax focus and the importance of eliminating excessive words in their essays,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut what's going to matter to them most whenever they're adults is going to be the way that I treated them.鈥�