Meet Catherine Boileau, a secondary education integrated science major from Novi, Michigan. We asked Catherine a few questions about her Northern experience so far:
Why did you decide to come to NMU?
Catherine: Every year my family would take a one-week vacation to our family camp on Lake Superior. Our camp was about 30 minutes away from Marquette, so we would often visit the city. I fell in love with both the natural beauty of the U.P. and the exciting city of Marquette. When it came time to apply for college, I knew one of the schools I had to apply to was NMU. As I said, I loved the location, but also, as someone who wanted to be a teacher, it also had a great teacher-preparation program.
What do you like about your major at NMU?
Catherine: I like that, due to my major and minors, I have taken a wide variety of science, history, and education classes at NMU. I have really gotten a well-rounded education! Being an education major at NMU is amazing. I mean, how many people not only know their department head but their department head knows them and waves hi to them on campus?
All of our education professors have had experience in the K-12 school system, so our classes are really tuned towards real-world application. We learn not only what important educational theories are, but how they can be used in real situations. We also have required observation hours which ensures we have lots of our own real-world experience. Additionally, all of our education classes are 25 people or less, which makes sure we all get the quality training we need--and we build close professional relationships with our classmates and professors.
What's an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major?
Catherine: As part of my MSED 340 (Fundamental Concepts of Science) class, we were presented with the opportunity to go to the 2019 Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. In exchange for volunteering for one hour, they gave us reduced admission. It was an amazing opportunity, but even with the reduced admission, still a very expensive experience when the costs of hotel, food, and travel to and from Marquette. The education department wanted us to have this experience and worked with us, finding funds to help cover the cost of a hotel and travel, plus reimbursing us for the food afterward.
With all of that covered, I was able to go to the 2019 MSTA Conference. I had an amazing, enriching experience. It was hosted in the amazing Amway Center. I attended a variety of sessions ranging from science literacy to forensics. I reconnected with a science teacher from my old high school, as well as a teacher I observed at Bothwell Middle School. I got to explore the amazing city of Grand Rapids. All in all, it was an educational and enriching experience that I am grateful NMU helped me to obtain.
What are you involved with on campus?
Catherine: I am an active member and leader in Cru, a campus Christian ministry. I have also been a teaching assistant (TA) for NMU’s math department for the past two years (and will be again in the fall). I help with classroom management, keep track of attendance and homework completion, provide tutoring, approve extensions, and run review sessions.
Other things I am involved in include GTU (a geographical honor society), the Sun Block of the Student Leader Fellowship Program (SLFP), and Mortar Board (a senior honor society). I was involved in Anthropology Club, the crew rowing team, Arctic House government, and the Freshman Fellowship program in the earlier part of my college career.
Of your activities on- or off-campus, what has been the most rewarding and why?
Catherine: My leadership in Cru and my work as a TA have been the two most rewarding experiences of my college experience. I think that is the reason why they have also been the two longest and most involved experiences I have participated in. They have been the most rewarding experiences of my college career because they have been experiences where I got to serve others and make a positive difference in people’s lives.
What's your favorite memory during your time as a student?
Catherine: My favorite memory during my time as a student would be the opportunity I got to teach a lesson to two real MSHS global science classes. As a part of my ED 380 class, I was paired with a teacher at MSHS and got to observe their classes a couple times a week. After several weeks of observing the class, the teacher gave me the chance to teach a lesson one day. It was an amazing experience! I taught the classes about the five major extinctions in Earth’s history--and the potential sixth extinction. It was amazing watching the kids get into the lesson and the project. I knew I had picked the right career path!
Further comments about your NMU experience?
NMU is amazing!! I knew I made the right choice coming here. Get involved and make the most of your college experience--it goes by so, so fast!!
