Emma Held wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. After earning her
Associate’s degree at Northampton Community College, she looked at 4-year schools
to complete her degree. One campus stood out: “ESU had a lot of good things—it was
close to home, my credits transferred, and it was affordable. I really liked what
it had to offer and how structured their [education] program was.” She enrolled as
a middle education major. “I got to see so much. My mentor teacher was amazing, and
my courses really helped me. My professors were great—they really gave me a lot of
input. They helped me see what I could do and how I could do it.” Held completed her
student teaching at Pleasant Valley School District and is now a third-grade teacher
in that district.
My first year was really good—you definitely see things you didn’t see while student
teaching! ESU’s program really helped me prepare.”
The scholarships Held received through the ESU Foundation helped offset some of her
expenses. “It gave me some flexibility with student teaching—I didn’t have to make
up that money,” she says. She advises current ESU students to “stay on top of your
work.” To potential ESU students, she says, “if you’re considering ESU for early education,
it’s a great program. You’re in the classroom almost from Day One. Reach out to your
peers, professors, and staff—everyone there is willing to help you.”
