Meet Sara: Presidential Scholar '23

Sara

"The best part of my experience at WMU was the relationships. By getting involved in different clubs I was able to find friends that had similar interests."

  • Why did you choose the special and elementary education major?

    I chose to major in Special and Elementary Education because I am passionate about helping people with disabillities reach their full potential. I love working with students and I enjoy teaching them in a way that works for them.

     

  • What is your favorite part of your major?

    My favorite parts of my major are the relationships I am able to build with students and looking at students' assessment data. I love figuring out where students' current skillsets are at, finding an intervention to help them, and watching them grow in the targeted skill. As students grow academically, their self-confidence grows as well.

  • What types of clubs, organizations, extra-curricular activities are you a part of?

    Throughout my time at WMU, I was involved in the Western Student Education Association and I had various jobs. I was an RA in the Burnhams and was a lead tutor for the Tutoring Pathways Program, a program that tutors K-2 students in literacy at the Boys and Girls Club. I also worked at the Center for Disability Services as a Direct Support Professional, where I helped adults with disabilities gain skills and learn how to engage in the community.

  • Your best friend is thinking about attending WMU, what do you tell them?

    If my best friend were thinking of attending WMU, I would tell them to make connections! The best part of my experience at WMU was the relationships I've built with peers. By getting involved in different clubs, organizations, and extra-curriculars, I was able to find friends that had similiar interests. Also, connecting with people in my major was incredibly helpful in my coursework. 

Special education at WMU

The undergraduate special education program (formerly special and elementary education) at Western Michigan University is an innovative and demanding preparation program preparing special education teachers to meet the unique needs of a diverse range of K-12 students with learning disabilities and emotional impairments. Candidates are prepared to implement evidence-based instructional practices promoting access to and success in the general education curriculum through assessment, intentional instruction, and evaluation.

Presidential Scholar Award

Each year, faculty members from across the University select the most outstanding senior in their various academic schools, departments and programs to represent their units as a WMU Presidential Scholar. The Presidential Scholar designation is the highest academic honor that WMU can bestow on its undergraduates. Selection is based on the students' general academic excellence, academic and artistic excellence relative to their majors, and intellectual and artistic promise.

Meet more 2023 Presidential Scholars

  • Derek

    Derek

    Presidential Scholar, nutrition and dietetics

    Meet Derek

  • Hannah

    Hannah

    Presidential Scholar, K-12 physical and health education

    Meet Hannah

  • Sam

    Sam

    Presidential Scholar, early childhood education

    Meet Sam