Kolby Sirowich ’24 | Elementary Education Major
Fully engage in every opportunity here at Saint A’s, not just the course load, but the experiences, conversations, and connections; they will prepare you for your future endeavors.
Kolby Sirowich, class of 2024, is an Elementary Education Major. Her clinical experience and support from the teacher education program at Saint Anselm College have led her to post-graduation success as she has plans to work with the Northwest Jesuit Volunteer Program and Sitka Conservation Society in Sitka, Alaska.
How was your senior year placement?
I was placed in Amherst, N.H., at Clark Wilkins Elementary School in a third-grade classroom. I enjoyed my experience, not only in the classroom but in the school district as well. The faculty at Clark Wilkins are supportive of each other and the third graders provided me with opportunities to grow and learn in their classrooms as well.
How did your placement help your teaching experience?
Senior year of student teaching, the education program requires two weeks which pre-service educators get the chance to teach in the classroom on their own with minimal supervision. I found that the experience is extremely beneficial and has helped my classroom teaching. I made lessons on my own, managed the classroom, planned activities throughout the day, and worked with other teachers on the third-grade team. There was a lot to learn from my first to my second solo week, but I saw growth in myself and my abilities from the first to the second.
How was your experience studying abroad?
Luckily, I had the opportunity to go abroad for a month in Greece. In my time attending school in Greece, I learned so much from the students, culture, and history of Greece. I was so grateful for the experience and for the people I met during my month there. I was able to explore new places, try new foods, and learn about the Greek language and culture.
Something unique about Greece was attending a new school in a new place, where they did not speak my first language. I was grateful to get the opportunity to experience and learn from the diversity within the classroom. This has led me to think about how I want to shape my future classroom environment and help new students feel safe and comfortable to learn and grow.
Do you have any post-graduation plans?
Post-graduation I will be doing a year of service through the Northwest Jesuit Volunteer Program. Working with the Sitka Conservation Society in Sitka, Alaska, I will create programs for the youth of the community that emphasize living with the land and building community. I chose this program because of the support it offers the volunteers, the volunteer programs that aim to support the communities, and the systematic justice work they do.
Saint Anselm has guided me in this direction with all the opportunities and education it has given me. I have learned that direct engagement is extremely important, especially with the support of the Meelia Center for Community Engagement, I have learned that civic engagement and systematic change are important. I have learned both concepts through my education at Saint Anselm and the values of the JVC NW program aligned with Saint Anselm’s Benedictine values.
What was your favorite class?
My favorite class is Science and Everyday Thinking with Physics Professor Melissa Lear. In this class, students explore science hands-on with lab groups to understand how to teach science from a teacher's perspective. I enjoyed working closely with my peers, presenting lessons, creating experiments, and receiving feedback that helped me to grow as a student teacher.
Who was your favorite professor?
All the professors in the Education Department have played different roles in my journey to becoming an educator. They have each provided insight into different concepts in education, have offered advice to me, and have always been supportive of my work.
What made you choose Saint Anselm College?
I came to Saint Anselm College because of the close-knit community and excitement to explore the service and volunteer opportunities that the college offers.
What clubs/organizations were you involved in at Saint Anselm College?
At Saint Anselm College I worked in the Meelia Center for Community Engagement as an Academic Mentor and am currently working at St. Rafael's Community Center. Through Campus Ministry, I participated in four Anselmaian B.R.E.A.K experiences and had the opportunity to walk Road For Hope for the last three years. I also was a member of the Women's Club Rugby team and the Saint Elizabeth Seton Society.