By Kerri Donovan

Kerri Donovan, a secondary education Teacher Education student from Naperville, Illinois, shares her first-person insights about the profound impact that working with students in the UI REACH Program is having on her as an educator.  

Working for the UI REACH program has changed me for the better. As a math education major, I was trying to find a job that would help me in the future. I was walking around a career fair my freshman year of college and accidentally stumbled upon their booth, where my now supervisor explained to me what the program was all about.  

REACH brings high functioning special education students to the University of Iowa to have the college experience and prepare them for their next step in life. My shifts vary from hall duty, teaching cooking class, to helping run activities. Some of the weekend shifts I work include going bowling, watching softball games, trivia nights, ping pong tournaments, and so much more.  

REACH has helped me enhance my leadership skills, organizational skills, and my ability to work with all types of students. I love my job, and I am so happy to be part of such a great program.”