Alexandra van Dorsten ’19MAT: The Course I Took on Classroom Diversity Gave Me the Skills to Connect With All My Students

The NC State College of Education will graduate 157 students Dec. 19, 2019. This is part of a series of profiles with some members of the Class of 2019 who will walk cross the stage this December. 

Name: Alexandra van Dorsten ’19MAT

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

Area of Study: Secondary Science Education

Activities (Research or Extracurricular): I am a swim coach for Wave, a year-round club team. I have also taught science full time at Athens Drive High School while completing my MAT coursework. I love to rock climb and Latin dance in my free time.

What’s your next step after graduation? I leave at the end of May to teach science in Ghana as a Peace Corps volunteer.

How has the NC State College of Education prepared you for that next step? The College of Education has given me the confidence to pursue my dream of serving in the Peace Corps. I feel that I have the skills necessary to be an effective teacher even without the resources I have been lucky to have teaching in the area.

Tell us about an experience you had with the NC State College of Education that had the biggest impact on you or your career. The course I took on classroom diversity gave me valuable insight and gave me the skills to connect with all the students in my highly diverse classroom.

Why did you choose education? I was lucky to have inspiring teachers and professors who pushed me to achieve my goals and reach my potential throughout my schooling. They are the reason I wanted to be a teacher. Shaping the minds of young people is a huge responsibility and is overwhelmingly rewarding.