Name: Amanda Lee
Hometown: Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
Year: Senior
Major: Early Childhood Education
Relationship Status: Single
Her Campus (HC): Tell us a little bit about being an early childhood education major.
Amanda Lee (AL): Being an early childhood education major has been an amazing part of my college experience. Teaching has always been something I’ve been extremely passionate about. The moment I was accepted into the program, I realized the twenty-seven other girls in my class would be in all my classes until graduation. I consider myself lucky because all of them are awesome! The major itself involves a lot of work and extra time put in outside the classroom.
HC: What’s it like to share a classroom with the same girls every day?
AL: When we did have classes together, it was super fun. Almost all of our classes were three hours so we were basically with each other all day, every day during the week. We would usually walk somewhere to eat lunch together in between classes, which was always an amazing bonding experience. Actually, I remember certain days when we didn’t have time to walk anywhere, we called Jimmy Johns and had them deliver to the Education building.
HC: Are you officially teaching students now that you’re a senior?
AL: I am officially teaching students as of right now, five days a week. I have a class of sixteen second graders, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. They keep me going. I feel like I have already grown so much through having actual experience teaching in the classroom full-time. It’s honestly nothing any class could have prepared me for. You just have to experience it for yourself.
HC: You said you’re from Pennsylvania. Do you plan on returning to the cold after graduation to teach?
AL: I am not a fan of the cold so I would rather not. The only thing possibly drawing me back to Pennsylvania is my family. I am very close with my immediate and extended family, and would hate to be extremely far from them. I feel as though I am a true Florida girl at heart, and would love to drag everyone down south with me to live. As of now, it’s either Florida or Pennsylvania. I’m going to have to choose very soon.
HC: What do you need to do in order to become a certified teacher?
AL: In order to become a certified teacher in Florida, you must have a bachelor’s degree and pass the state certification exams. I’ve passed all my tests… just eagerly awaiting my degree.
HC: Congrats! Are you currently involved in anything on campus?
AL: I am a member of Alpha Chi Omega.
HC: How do you balance teaching everyday and being a member of Greek life?
AL: Honestly, it’s hard. It’s extremely hard. I feel as though I miss a lot of sorority functions lately because I am always so busy with school and teaching. I always try to make time on the weekends to see my sorority sisters, but I’m sure if you asked them, they’d tell you I’m pretty MIA most of the week.
HC: Where’s your favorite place to eat in Tallahassee?
AL: That’s a tough one. I had Chipotle for the first time ever when I came to Tallahassee, and I’ve been in love ever since. We don’t have any in Pennsylvania so it’s definitely something I appreciate when I’m here.
HC: What’s your favorite TV show?
AL: I am obsessed with Friday Night Lights at the moment.
HC: Any fun facts you want to share about yourself?
AL: I love to run. It’s a huge stress reliever for me. If I don’t run for a day, I feel strange, like something’s off.
HC: Last question. If you could provide any advice to incoming freshmen, what would it be?
AL: Study like crazy your first two years. If you choose to be an education major, know that that both the elementary and early childhood programs are very selective in the application process at Florida State. But education is such a fun and exciting major, so be yourself and have fun with it!