Emma Fleming
Reporter
Madelyn Peters, a sophomore at Parkland College, is also a busy Pathways student. Peters grew up in Rantoul, a small town approximately 20 miles north of Champaign. She attended Judah Christian School, a local private school here in Champaign. Some of Peters’ favorite things to do are to watch movies, try new things and play volleyball. Currently Peters is an Elementary Education major in the Parkland Pathways Program. Peters expresses that she is quite satisfied with her choice of major. “I have a passion for guiding and developing children,” Peters says. “I think that teaching is a calling and I feel honored to be in this path.” A few of the reasons she chose Parkland are the small environment, Parkland’s proximity to her home, the Pathways Program, and the community feel made her feel welcome and eager to attend.
Her future plans are to go back to Judah Christian School and teach elementary education and eventually start a family of her own. “What really excites me about an education major is that I consider it my mission field,” Peters claims. “I find that it is more of a calling than anything else and I am part of shaping the next generation.” Peters has always dreamt of being an education major, and Parkland Pathways is helping her fulfill that dream.
Coming from a small high school, Peters understood that the transition from high school to a big university can be a bit startling. For Peters the Pathways Program was the right decision. According to Parkland’s Admissions website, the Pathway Program is a program that encourages high school graduates to continue their education at Parkland and then transfer to the University of Illinois. Pathways students are full-time Parkland students while they take one or two classes at the U of I. Peters states that, “the Pathways Program makes the transition so much smoother. All the advisors are so helpful and personal, and the education program is honestly outstanding.” Peters’ classes at the U of I are all different, but she enjoys how well her education professors incorporate discussion time and make themselves available to students.
Not only is Peters getting a great education, but she is also getting a cost-effective one. Peters claims that her U of I classes are much cheaper through the Parkland Pathways Program. As most students know, college can be quite expensive. But Peters is paying Parkland rates for her U of I classes, which is much less expensive than going to the U of I immediately upon graduating. Peters recommends that more students consider the Pathways opportunity because it helps lessen the burden of college expenses.
The U of I provides a great education to university students and Pathway students, alike. Peters says that “The education program at the U of I is incredible and really gives you more insight to some issues that you don’t realize actually affect students. It has prepared me more than anything for the students I may face when it comes to working in my field.” Parkland and the U of I have helped Peters develop relationships and have taught her how to handle adversity. Peters realizes that with teaching comes great responsibility. She welcomes the challenge and is hopeful that she will be able to positively influence her future students.
One piece of advice that the second-year student recommends to all students is to communicate with their professors and instructors. “Your professors want you to succeed,” Peters starts, “if you follow directions and actually do what they ask of you, you’ll do great.” Parkland is a stepping stone for a lot of students, like it is for Peters. As advice from the education major, communicate and be diligent in your work to have a successful academic career, whether at a two or four-year university.