Sofia Vandersluis graduated from UW–Madison last spring with a degree in elementary education and a certificate in educational policy studies. Now, she is a first-year fourth grade teacher at Heritage Elementary School in Waunakee, Wisconsin.
In August, Spectrum News celebrated Vanderslis as an “Everyday Hero” in a story about first-year teachers heading into classrooms amid a teacher shortage.
“The people I’ve met through my teacher education classes and practicum student teaching placements have really solidified why I think it’s the career for me,” Vandersluis told Spectrum News. “It’s a really kind profession with people who are trying to make a positive impact on the world.”
She added that she was most looking forward to meeting her students and teaching them about Wisconsin state history. Much of Vanderslis’ summer was spent learning curriculum to prepare for the beginning of the school year.
“I think that it will be really fun to dive into the state that they all live in and are growing up in, and to learn what Wisconsin is all about,” she said.
Read the full story to learn more, and check out how the School of Education is helping address the teacher shortage with the UW–Madison School of Education Wisconsin Teacher Pledge.