Undergraduate Elementary Teacher Certification: Student Ambassadors
Ambassadors are a group of current students and alumni who have been selected to represent the Teacher Education program in various settings such as welcome events for new students, orientations, presentations to groups on and off campus, information fairs and recruitment events.
Applications for the student ambassador program are solicited in February of each year. Successful candidates are energetic, articulate, and committed teacher candidates who are interested in being involved in shaping the Teacher Education Program and developing their leadership skills.
If you have specific questions you'd like answered from a student's point of view, please submit them to te.program@umich.edu and the question will be routed to one of our student ambassadors. Please indicate in your message that you would like an ambassador to respond..
If you have general questions about teacher certification, please contact the Teacher Education Office (Office: Room 1228, Phone: 734-615-0528, Email: te.program@umich.edu)
 |
Joel Bruff Joel is in Elementary Education with a language arts major and social studies minor. He grew up in Flint, MI, and counts his grandfather as his hero. In his spare time he likes to watch “The Office,” and hang out with his friends. Joel appreciates being on a first name basis with his professors and says, “The smaller class sizes and individualized instruction make the School of Education both a rewarding and challenging leaning experience.” |
 |
Heather Chirco Heather is a senior in Elementary Education with a double major in social studies and language arts. She grew up in Clinton Township, MI, and at nine years old wanted to be a teacher. Heather’s heroes are her grandparents, and she is interested in autism awareness and karaoke. Heather says, “The School of Education has been an eye-opening experience into how much behind the scenes work it takes to be a great teacher |
 |
Elizabeth Davila Liz is a graduating senior in Elementary Education with a major in language arts and minor in social studies. She is from Brooklyn, NY, and in her free time enjoys bike riding and eating at new and interesting restaurants. She has really enjoyed her professors and her cohort peers at the School of Education and says, “You are not only learning from the best, but growing in relationships with students and professors to help you succeed and relate to others.” |
 |
Nicole Dembinski Nicole is a student in Elementary Education with a major in social studies and minor in language arts. She grew up in Niles, MI, and always wanted to be a teacher. She likes to crochet and calls her mother her heroine. Nicole says that “the Teacher Education program at the University of Michigan does a great job educating future teachers about diversity and multicultural issues. It has given me great experience and allowed me to work with teachers and students in classrooms before student teaching – great scaffolding!” |
 |
Sandra Liberman Sandy is in Elementary Education with a major in language arts and a minor in science. She is from West Bloomfield, MI, and wanted to be a mail carrier when she was small. Sandy doesn’t like watching TV but enjoys quality time with her computer. She describes the School of Education as a big commitment, “but very rewarding. You don’t only learn how to teach, you learn about yourself and how you can develop the teacher inside.” |
 |
Ashlei Neely Ashlei is in Elementary Education with a mathematics major and a language arts minor. She is from West Bloomfield, MI, and enjoys Alicia Keys and poetry. Ashlei doesn’t have a lot of free time, but manages to catch “The L Word.” Of her experiences in the School of Education, Ashlei says, “it provides you with all the tools you need to be a successful teacher, and the cohort structure allows you to form lasting relationships with your prospective colleagues.” |
 |
Laura Raubacher Laura is an Elementary Education student with a major in language arts and minor in social studies. She grew up in Romeo, MI, and when she was nine years old she wanted to be a doctor. Laura describes herself as “obsessed” with college football and enjoys watching TV in her spare time. She calls her time at the School of Education “amazing!” and has really developed a passion for teaching. |
 |
Katie Tuson Katie is in Elementary Education with a major in social studies and minor in language arts. She is from Clarkston, MI, and has always wanted to be a teacher. In her free time Katie loves to dance, shop, and watch TV, though not all at the same time. She has really enjoyed her time in the School of Education and appreciates how supportive and encouraging the faculty have been, “I feel that learning in the university, and observing/implementing in the field will really prepare me for teaching in my future classroom.” |
