Abigail Luft ‘22 is a first-grade teacher at St. Thomas Academy in Redmond, Oregon, and a graduate student working on her Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Portland.
Luft believes that her double major in educational studies and women’s and gender studies prepared her for graduate school. During her coursework, she gained experience in conducting research, engaging in myriad societal and educational discussions, and building meaningful relationships. Luft also gained confidence in writing and communication skills.
Students considering the teaching profession should spend as much time in the classroom as possible, she said. Luft, who worked as a stay-and-play helper at The Welsh Hills School in Granville, Ohio, said that many of her classroom management and instruction strategies are drawn from her field experience course.
“These courses in the education department are great ways to get first-hand experience to decide if teaching is the right path for you,” Luft said.
