Sara Nelson

Happy “Where Do You Work?” Wednesday! This week meet alumna Courtney Warren (BA ’16 Elementary Education).

Warren is a third-grade teacher at DeSoto Intermediate School in the Adel DeSoto Minburn School District in DeSoto, Iowa. This is her second year as a teacher.

“I love coming to work each day and working with students who are excited to learn. I am constantly blown away by how deeply they think, how intelligent they are, and how invested they get in their own learning,” says Warren. “I love my job because it matters, and I am able to make an impact on the next generation. Plus, kids give the best hugs!”

Warren is grateful for the real-world experience and classes that the College of Education gave her.

“Courses in cultural diversity, mathematic discourse, and reading instruction were some of the most valuable resources I could have asked for. I learned things through the Teacher Leader Center (TLC) Certificate that I am not sure I would have learned at another university,” says Warren. “The College of Education gave me a realistic and hands-on learning experience that prepared me for my own classroom. I was able to meet with practicing teachers to build relationships and make connections. I felt like the professors and instructors in the courses I took really cared about my success and me as a person.”

Want to be the next “Where Do You Work Wednesday?” or nominate someone? Message us on Facebook, tag them with #HawkeyeTeachers, or email us at educationatiowa@uiowa.edu.