Emily Skipper

Where are you now?

Waveland Elementary School, Waveland, MS

Why did you choose education?

I have always felt drawn toward young children, so I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to get a degree in an area that would allow me to utilize the love I have for them. I worked at a summer camp this year as a counselor and my main job was to prepare lessons and teach them to classrooms full of kids. I feel like that really showed me that teaching was not only something I enjoyed, but also something I was actually good at. English has always been my best subject in school because of how much I enjoy reading and writing, so I thought it would be nice to teach a subject that I had always loved.

Why are you passionate about teaching?

I love feeling like I’m helping people. Influencing children’s learning experience is such a rewarding job.

What made you choose MSU?

I had always dreamed of going to a big SEC school, and when my brother was looking a different colleges the year before I graduated, MSU really stood out to me. After coming to visit I fell in love with the MSU campus and city of Starkville, and I knew it was place for me.

What do you want people to know about you?

I want people to know that I love to be an encourager. Encouragement is a big thing for me as a way to make me feel successful, and I love to make other people feel good and give advice any time I can!

What advice would you give to entering freshmen or students finishing up high school? 

My advice to incoming freshmen is to come in with an open mind. To be quite honest, MSU was not always my first choice school. I had plans to go to another school with my brother, but when I ended up at State I told myself to keep an open mind and it ended up being the best decision I have ever made. I also suggest GETTING INVOLVED!!!! This sounds so cliche, but it is so important to get involved and find a group of friends, especially when you don't know many people in the beginning. It really can make the world of difference!