- Pronouns:
- she/her
- Major:
- Elementary Education
- Minor/Concentration:
- Concentration in Science
- Graduation year:
- 2025
- Hometown:
- Lafayette, IN
- Interests/hobbies:
- Dancing, painting, and running/walking
Q&A with Samantha
How has INSPIRE or the School of Education helped you grow as a future teacher?
INSPIRE has helped me grow as a future teacher by helping me interact with people with different backgrounds and they help me understand how to have a classroom that is full of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In INSPIRE we all bounce ideas back and forth with each other and we can get good opinions and thoughts on our work from our peers. Those thoughts and opinions help create good and effective activities that can be done in the classroom. The School of Education has helped me grow as a future teacher too. Many classes have students going out into the community and tutor at the local schools or help at the Boy's and Girl's Club to get us into the classroom and see how it really is to teach children. These classes help us understand that teaching is so much more than the material that is being taught. Teaching is building relationships with your students and helping them grow as a person while they learn the material they need to succeed.
What has been your favorite experience as a member of the INSPIRE LLC so far?
My favorite experience has been all the cultural excursions that the members of INSPIRE go on. I enjoy learning about all the different events and cultures around campus and all the trips to each event are always fun and filled with curious faces wanting to know more and want to continue to learn as they continue the excursion. Many fun memories are made while all of us are on these cultural excursions.
What influenced your decision to become a Peer Mentor?
The Peer Mentors I had during my first year were a big influence. They helped me and every other first-year student on the floor feel welcome and made the transition to college so much easier. They were always there to help or if you just wanted to hang out, they were there. I wanted to have that same influence on the next group of first-year students. So, I decided to become a Peer Mentor to help and have fun with the first-year student as they navigate their first year at IU.
Joining INSPIRE was one of the best decisions I made when going into my first year. I met my closest friends while being a member and I was able to talk about topics in education that might not have been talked about as much while in high school.
What are some responsibilities you have as a Peer Mentor?
As a Peer Mentor, we are here to support the first-year student as they navigate their first year of college. Along with being there for the first-year student INSPIRE members, Peer Mentors lead fireside chats and cultural excursions. Fireside chats are little conversations about different topics that are relevant to being a teacher or being a role model to students. Cultural excursions are to help introduce the different cultures that INSPIRE members will come across in their own classrooms. Peer Mentors lead the members to different events that are held on campus and help teach about those different events and cultures.
Do you have any advice for anyone who might be thinking about applying to INSPIRE?
If you are thinking about applying for INSPIRE, I would keep in mind that many diverse types of personalities will be on the floor. An open mind is highly recommended. Many of the INSPIRE members might not have the same opinion as you so keeping an open mind and having a willingness to listen and understand them might be the best thing to have when applying to INSPIRE. INSPIRE is a very welcoming community and we appreciate having different thoughts, opinions, and personalities on our floor.
What would you say to someone considering joining INSPIRE?
I would say that joining INSPIRE was one of the best decisions I made when going into my first year. I met my closest friends while being a member and I was able to talk about topics in education that might not have been talked about as much while in high school. INSPIRE helped me feel ready for college and helped me feel comfortable being away from home. I would tell that person that each year in INSPIRE is different but at the end of the year, everyone has met the people they call their best friends and has had the best time learning about education has many components that should be incorporated into a classroom.