College of Education and Human Development

Meet Kenzie: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

I chose WMU as my school of choice because it felt like home! I fell in love with the campus and its natural beauty, as well as the welcoming community that WMU offers.

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Q&A with Kenzie

Did you have a favorite teacher growing up?

Yes, I did have a favorite teacher growing up and her name was Miss Raab! She was my second grade teacher, and I remember she always made her students feel welcomed. She definitely made her classroom a safe space for all types of learners!

Why did you choose elementary education and TESOL?

I chose to pursue Elementary Education and TESOL because I wanted to make a difference in the education of future generations. I also am very passionate about teaching English language learners, and I hope to give my future students the best possible experience as they grow in their learning careers!

What year are you, what is your major and why did you select WMU as your school of choice?

I am a second year at WMU, majoring in Elementary Education PK-3 & TESOL K-12! I chose WMU as my school of choice because it felt like home! I fell in love with the campus and its natural beauty, as well as the welcoming community that WMU offers. I also chose WMU because they had a major specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, which is the main teacher pathway that I plan to pursue!

What activities or Registered Student Organizations (RSO's) are you engaged in on campus?

Some RSO’s that I am engaged in on campus are Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM), Refugee Outreach Collective (ROC), and LeadCorp!

What has contributed to your academic success?

Something that has contributed to my academic success is simply prioritizing my “to-do” list! I work more efficiently when I can see all of my assignments written out with their respective due dates. I also contribute my academic success to taking time for self-care and giving myself time to rest when needed, which, in turn, allows me to work with a clearer mind!

Where do you see yourself after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to apply to join the Peace Corps. With my degree being in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, I hope to serve in countries abroad with a need for English teachers! I look forward to traveling as much as I can, and helping children all around the world that wouldn’t have otherwise been given the chance to have an education.

TESOL at WMU

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is designed to prepare educators to meet the unique needs of English learners in K-12 schools. The major is available for all interested students who are also seeking PK-3 teacher certification. Graduates of this program will be eligible to teach all subjects to PK-3 students in self-contained classrooms as well as in ESL K-12 classrooms. No minor is required. This undergraduate major qualifies graduates for the Michigan English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.

Program overview

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