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We need to restore value in education, arts and humanities. These are things I’ve thought about while getting my bachelor’s in history and deciding how far I’d like to take my interest in education. Online research and conversations with friends led to my realization that education, arts and humanities as subjects are undervalued, not just in terms of significance but skills. Questions about jobs are either narrowed down (e.g teacher, librarian, museum worker) or people assume that you can’t get a good job with a history degree. It is also assumed that you can’t get a job with an education degree outside academia. They not only teach us about people and how they interact with society, but they teach good writing, thinking and social skills. 

 

Writing/Thinking

As a history student in and outside of class my past projects involved writing stories about ordinary people influencing their communities. My senior seminar project along with others  taught me how to reach out to people for interviews, brainstorm thorough questions, archive, map and compile information into a presentation. The project was about Canton Ohio’s Christ Presbyterian Church’s Camp Wakonda and why we need that community. My class presented the project to the church’s Sunday school class in December 2022. I also used these skills writing feature stories about students, compiling a 1-minute video for Malone’s Office of Multicultural Services for my Introduction To Media Production class, and a Black History Seminar I held on campus. 

 

Social Skills

As a preschool teacher and children’s ministry volunteer, I’ve discovered a joy and passion in getting to know students and learning about their interests and stories. Active listening and guidance also helps build their confidence and ability to communicate and complete activities. Children are actively trying to understand the world around them. Good teaching also involves communication, listening and understanding. 

 

While my career goals regarding an M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction are creating content for a nonprofit, my main goal is to help people understand the importance of education, arts and humanities as subjects that help us gain valuable skills that help us understand the world around us.