Graduate Q&A: Kayla Steinmetz

Kayla talks about her degree in Special Education and experiences at UW-Stout.
May 31, 2017
Kayla Steinmetz
Kayla Steinmetz / UW-Stout

Following is a Q&A with one of the 1,375 students who received a diploma May 6 at UW-Stout.

Name: Kayla Steinmetz
Hometown: Chippewa Falls
Major: Special education

Awards, honors: Chancellor’s Awards

Why did you choose UW-Stout? After doing some college browsing, I concluded that UW-Stout offered the most flexible degree in my desired field, cross-categorical special education K-12. Luckily for me UW-Stout was also close enough to commute from my hometown of Chippewa Falls. Once I started sharing my interests in UW-Stout, I learned that several of my high school teachers are UW-Stout alumni. Through my curious questioning, common responses started to appear. They expressed excelling at UW-Stout was possible due to the focus of hands-on instruction. My decision was sealed!

What are the biggest challenges you faced in earning your degree? My financial standing was probably the biggest struggle. I decided to pay on my loans as I went.I worked throughout the entirety of college, sometimes two jobs. To save money, I took as many general education credits as possible at a local technical college. I benefited from knowing I would end up at UW-Stout because I could double-check that all my credits would transfer smoothly.As a result, the four-year degree took me six and I am still graduating with debt, but it’s less than most. I had a fair share of struggles but I got through. Two sayings helped me through college. First, “Fear is the mind killer,” and I found myself saying this in times of worry. The second saying I heard from a classmate, “Colleges are meant to weave out the weak.” Every time I hit a bump and I thought I was about to crack — trust me it happens frequently — I told myself, “I am not going to let them weave me out!”

What stands out among your college experiences? At UW-Stout I started to love learning. For the first time in my life history, ethics, religion, culture, economics and even politics became fascinating to me. I will forever be thankful for the guidance provided by professors and peers at UW-Stout. I have developed into an individual who yearns to be a lifelong learner, as odd as it may seem.

What’s next? Before graduation, I was offered and accepted a job at the school were my student teaching took place, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Midde/High School. Thankfully, this made life after college a lot less uncertain. I am eager for my first year as a special education teacher and I look forward to growth that follows. On the personal level, my partner and I got engaged two years ago. We mutually decided it would be best to hold off on the planning until the completion of college. I am happy to say we now will start planning our wedding. The college chapter in my life is complete, for now. I will make sure to enjoy whatever lies ahead.

###


Related News

All News

SkillsUSA brings more than 300 middle, high school students to UW-Stout for leadership, technical competitions

Industry, educators work together to prepare young people for future careers, solve skills gap

Doing for a day: Teach Day gives high school students a glimpse of possible career path

High school students who attended Teach Day at UW-Stout learned quickly that the teaching profession, like the university’s other majors, is about doing.

Arts and humanities events scheduled at UW-Stout for spring 2024.

Community events include theater, concerts, art exhibits and more; coincide with Destination Weekend, Spring Showcase

Science Education

All Science Education News
Students from three area high schools set to visit science labs Featured Image

Students from three area high schools set to visit science labs

Science will be in the spotlight for 100 area high school students on Thursday, Oct. 17, at UW-Stout.
Recent graduate receives Early Career Educator honor Featured Image

Recent graduate receives Early Career Educator honor

A recent University of Wisconsin-Stout graduate has been recognized by the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
New instructor’s passion for science began at STEPS for Girls Featured Image

New instructor’s passion for science began at STEPS for Girls

Tiffany Hoage and dozens of other new instructors began their University of Wisconsin-Stout teaching careers when classes began the first week of September.