Bailey Is Already Building the Classroom He Wants to Lead
For Bailey, becoming a teacher has been an idea he couldn’t shake. Bailey is currently studying in the Foundations of Teacher Education program at Western. He chose the program after hearing positive things from a friend, but what convinced him he made the right decision was how quickly he connected what he was learning in class to the work he was already doing.
“One of the things I like most about the program is my ability to relate course content to my active role,” he says. “It makes me a stronger educational assistant and a more dependable team member.”
He is already working with students every day as an educational assistant at Holmen High School, where he supports students and sees firsthand the difference a caring adult can make.
“There is nothing like it,” Bailey says. “I love my job, and I can’t wait to be a special education teacher.” Bailey has always been drawn to helping others. Growing up around people with disabilities helped shape his desire to work in special education, and he says becoming a teacher simply feels like the right fit.
Along the way, he has built skills that matter in every classroom: adaptability, strong relationships, and learning how to work as part of a team. Bailey also credits the collective atmosphere in the program for helping him grow. “We all participate in creating a space where everyone can be themselves with no pressure to be anything else,” Bailey says.
After completing the program at Western, Bailey plans to continue his education at a four-year university and earn his bachelor’s degree. Each day he spends supporting students strengthens the skills he will bring to his own classroom.
