McKay School of Education > News > New Students Take First Steps Into McKay School Programs
New Students Take First Steps Into McKay School Programs
Incoming freshmen to BYU’s McKay School took their first steps toward becoming great educators as they enjoyed New Student Orientation on August 27. The event gave students a comprehensive view of what the McKay School offers and what they can expect in upcoming years of study.
After being greeted by stacks of free posters and promotional materials for the school, students listened to Brad Wilcox of the Department of Teacher Education talk about his own experience choosing a major as a young college student. He related that after serving a mission for the LDS Church he switched through countless majors until he reluctantly took a career exploration class that helped him discover the profession of teaching, which has been his life’s work ever since.
Wilcox commented on the profound effect teachers can have on their students. “Teaching allows me to make a difference,” he said. Influential teachers who will uplift and enable students are what the country needs right now, and BYU will play a major role in providing those educators. “This is where recruiters come to find teachers; they want BYU teachers,” said Wilcox.
Students also explored several of the departments within the McKay School, mainly those offering undergraduate programs: Teacher Education, Communication Disorders, Information Psychology and Technology, and Counseling Psychology & Special Education. Faculty from each department gave 15-minute presentations to explain different aspects of each program and answer questions from curious students.
Students found this segment of the orientation helpful. Katie Witt, a freshman from Chicago remarked, “It’s nice to be informed specifically about each program and not have just a big wave of information to absorb.”
Many students had only a vague idea of what to expect from the departments they planned to study in. “I didn’t even know they offered graduate programs here,” said Lillian Eiman, another new student. The information that each presentation offered was eye opening for many to say the least.
Much to the delight of two very lucky students, the orientation ended with an iPod raffle giveaway.
For more information regarding McKay School departments and programs, students can visit the McKay School Website home page, under the section titled Departments & Centers, or follow the Prospective Students link.
28 September 2009