Raina Massey: ‘As Teachers, We Are Given the Opportunity To Create a Safe Place and To Be a Kind and Trusted Presence’ 

Since joining the College of Education, elementary education major Raina Massey has enjoyed being a peer mentor, which has allowed them to assist with ED 100 classes, plan events and become more involved with the college, helping others and providing guidance to new students. 

In addition, Massey has appreciated the opportunities to be in a classroom with first-grade students and see firsthand what it’s like to be an elementary school teacher. 

Get to know Raina:

Most Meaningful Moment So Far: My first fieldwork experience last semester was very impactful for me. I was placed in a first-grade classroom and went four times throughout the semester. Being in an actual classroom with students allowed me to concretely place myself in this profession. It was the moment I fully realized I was moving towards my future career as an educator.

My Favorite Experience So Far: My New Student Orientation back in 2022. It was super helpful and exciting to get a preview of what my next four years were going to look like, and I was glad to get my bearings on campus a bit before school started. I also met one of my best friends, who is doing elementary education with me, at orientation.

What I’ve Learned About What It Means To Be an Educator So Far: It takes a lot of compassion, empathy and patience to be an educator. Students come from so many different backgrounds with such different personalities, and they are not going to be perfect. As teachers, we are given the opportunity to create a safe place and to be a kind and trusted presence in their lives.

Why I Still Want To Be An Educator: This past summer, I worked as a camp counselor. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I built these wonderful relationships with my campers, and they are what motivated me to go to work each day. It was amazing getting to know them, to learn their different interests and witness their curiosity and excitement for life firsthand. This just served as a reminder of my passion for working with kids and helping them. It was very reassuring to know that I am on the right path.

Why I Love the College of Education: I would say the people. Both the staff and my fellow students have a lot of kindness in them. I’ve always struggled with social anxiety, and it can be difficult for me to interact with my peers. But the people here have made me feel so welcome, and I have found that there is a lot of mutual support for one another in the College of Education. I felt that I have been able to break out of my shell in a way I haven’t been able to before getting here.