Essay For Graduate Assistantship

487 Words2 Pages

I am writing to apply for the Graduate Assistantship for the Masters of Science Environmental Education Program at Southern Oregon University. Earning an Assistantship would be an amazing opportunity to advance myself further within the Environmental Education Masters Program. I am extremely interested in earning an assistantship at Southern Oregon University, where I can contribute to environmental education programs around Ashland, develop curriculum and interactive programs, and work with experts within the environmental education field.

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. My major emphasized Pre-Vet and Wildlife Care by combining a concentration on wildlife and conservation in an animal care setting. With a strong science background I have a fundamental understanding of difficult concepts and have learned to relay that to the general public.

As an education program mentor at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo I lead environmental education for toddlers to 12th graders by giving zoo tours, hosting birthday parties, and overnights programs at the zoo. As an education mentor my goal is to foster a passion for wildlife and wild places through live animal presentations, game, and crafts. I love being able to …show more content…

I led students through programs meant to connect them to their grassland roots. Through historically accurate educational programs set in the time periods of 1830’s Cheyenne Indians and the 1880’s Homesteaders. I taught students how life was for these groups of people. From completing chores at the farm to attending one-room school lessons, the goal was to give the kids a totally immersive day in the past. I also focused on Prairie Ecology programs leading the students through the vast short-grass prairie ecosystem. Through this experience I learned how to take a generation of computer experts and help them learn through a whole new