Kayla Grieser

Kayla Grieser, Trine education major

Becoming a good teacher requires classroom experience, and Trine education major Kayla Grieser values the hands-on, one-on-one education she receives in the Franks School of Education.

"The education department really pushes you to do your best. They go over things that you will experience when you begin teaching in the real world," Kayla said. "The professors actually care how well you do in their classes, and are willing to help you, whether it is class-related or not."

The small class sizes help her excel as an individual. "The teachers know you, and you're not just a number. At Trine, it is very easy to meet new people who later on become great friends," she said.

She numbers excellent professors among those friends. "Dr. Tierney may be strict about your papers, but he can really help you out. I needed a last-minute recommendation for my application for the Franks school of Education, and he willingly took my recommendation and filled it out for me. He was very understanding, and since I had been in his class, he knew I was not someone who deliberately does things at the last minute," she said.

As a residence assistant and member of the women′s lacrosse team, she is fully engaged in Trine′s active campus experience. "Campus life is the fun part of college. All the activities the Office of Student Life organizes really break up those long nights of study. You also learn a lot from your experiences living on campus," she said.