UMPI Class of 2007 Bachelors in Elementary Education, Mathematics

Update by Lisa Smith, alumna

 

“I came to UMPI in 2002 as a non-traditional student with two children still in school. Graduated in 2007, worked that summer at Pines in Caribou in a temp position, leading to a full-time position in the Finance Department at Cary Medical Center. I worked for 8 years at Cary, finishing as the Compliance Analyst when a position at my alma mater opened up. I am now the Administrative Specialist in the President’s Office at UMPI. Throughout the years, I had been trying to get a position at ‘home’ so now I am very glad to be back in the academic culture! I graduated with an Elementary Education degree with a concentration in Mathematics. I did not elect to teach full-time but instead chose other avenues to reach children. From 2006-2015, I was the Program Leader for the Caribou area Washington, DC Group through Worldstrides Inc. I took approximately 40 7th and 8th grade students every two years to tour Washington, DC. This was truly a rewarding and amazing trip all the years I went. The other avenue I pursued was tutoring math from my home or visiting students’ homes. The one on one and creativity that was allowed in this type of learning environment was truly an enjoyable as well as rewarding experience.”