By Destiny Randle ’23
“My undergrad experience helped me grow as a person and helped me know I wanted to be a teacher,” said Baran, who got her bachelor’s in child development with a minor in studio arts and education.
During her undergrad years, Baran took full advantage of the different opportunities that Whittier had to offer outside of the classroom. She started off as a tour guide working for the Office of Admissions, was a resident adviser for 3 years, played soccer, worked for the child development and education office, and even co-founded a club.
“Through those jobs I met people, I feel like I touched a lot of different places here and I learned so much about myself,” she said. “I feel like to be a teacher you have to understand a lot of different people and how to connect with a lot of people. Especially my job as an RA and as a tour guide helped me meet all different types of people.”
Baran knew she wanted to work with children whether it would be as a nurse or a teacher. She took an undergrad education class and loved it. Because of that class, she took education as a minor and found out what she wanted to do was to work with children as a teacher.
She enjoyed her education at Whittier so much, it only made sense to her to continue it in the College’s graduate program.
She plans to teach between kindergarten and fifth grade. In Whittier College’s graduate program, she is pursuing getting a multiple subject credential and plans to add Education Specialist credential to work with students with mild and moderate disabilities in an elementary setting.
“That was new to me. That was an opportunity I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t do the masters program here. Our professors are great at educating students and producing well rounded teachers,” she said.
Already, the graduate program is giving her real-world experience. She is working with Whittier through a fellowship in the athletics department. She works with Lance Franey, associate athletic director for communications, and says that he is very passionate about his job, which is inspiring her.
“I want to transfer that passion to my teaching and all aspects of my life,” she said.
This week, Whittier College is hosting several events to highlight the various opportunities—including graduate and credential programs—that Whittier offers for aspiring educators.
Monday, Oct. 14: Education Fair and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, Oct. 15: Graduate Program Information Session
Wednesday, Oct. 16: Guest speaker Eduardo Lopez, Ph.D.
