The UW–Madison School of Education offers academic excellence in areas spanning the arts, health, and education. We are a proud community of innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and fearless trailblazers. Our talented students are committed to making their college experience a meaningful journey that aligns with their interests and helps them achieve their future goals.
Following is a Q&A with Piper Klaas, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and graduating in spring 2028.
What grades/subjects would you like to teach?
I am quite early in my education, but as of right now I am interested in teaching grades 2 through 5.
Why did you pursue your teaching certification through UW–Madison?
When I was applying to schools, I was mainly looking at bigger universities that had established teaching programs and UW–Madison was one of them. I then attended an information session with the School and felt like there was not going to be a better fit out there. After getting in and having to decide where I wanted to go, I saw that UW–Madison’s School of Education was ranked #1 in the nation. At that point I knew that this was going to be the best school for me.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I have always been someone who has loved taking care of others, and in more recent years I have gotten to work with kids in learning environments. I had never found anything to be as rewarding as working with children and watching them grow. One specific memory that stands out to me as being inspiring was talking with the kids who lived across the street from me. My mom would tell me that she knew I needed to work with kids because I talked to them differently than others — I was talking to them with respect.
What has been your most meaningful learning experience — or who was the most impactful instructor — during your time in your program, and why?
My most meaningful learning experience so far was getting to attend the Equity Ambassadors Conference. I learned to better recognize what an unjust classroom looks like and strategies that I can implement as a teacher to make a more equitable learning environment for my students. This was an incredible learning experience that I will take with me for the rest of my teaching career.
What impact did connections or friendships with fellow students in your program have on your learning?
I have found it incredibly valuable to collaborate and connect with fellow students in the program. Since I am still so new, I’ve found it quite helpful to be in the School of Education Buddy Program. I was paired with a person further along in their studies than me to learn about what it was like to be in the program. This was a great resource for meeting people who are passionate about similar things to me, as well as having all of my more specific questions answered.