Wartburg gave me a home away from home

Emma Bermond ‘22 learned that she wanted to teach English long before she reached the Wartburg campus.

“When I was in high school, I went through a professional studies program where they did an education section. I went into classrooms, and I really liked working with kids. I liked the idea of secondary education. I also liked the idea of English, especially since I enjoy writing and reading. Then I decided, let’s do English education,” Bermond said.

At Wartburg, Bermond enrolled in the English education program, where she was able to work with professors like Dr. Rachel Clark, associate professor of English and director of the Scholars Program, and explore different topics within the English discipline.

“My favorite class was one on Shakespeare. I took it with Dr. Clark, and we read Shakespeare, and then in class we acted out certain parts of it. It was really fun! I am more of an introvert, but I was able to do that and really enjoy it,” Bermond said.

In addition to their major’s coursework, English education majors complete the Secondary Teaching Professional Core (5-12). As a part of this core, students participate in field experiences. These involve students being placed in real classrooms to gain vital experience of the coursework they are learning, which is a game changer for students like Bermond.

“As much as they can teach us in the classroom about what to expect, you don’t actually know until you get there. And the student teaching, I have learned a lot in a very short amount of time, and I feel like that is going to help me a lot in my future classrooms,” Bermond said.

Outside of the classroom, Bermond advises students to try out new opportunities with activities and clubs.

“Wartburg gives a lot of opportunities, and I would take every single one of them. If I could go back, I would join a couple more clubs and make some more friends that way,” Bermond said.

Bermond, who went on a service trip during a Tour Week break, sees the trip as one of things that sets Wartburg apart from other colleges, along with the people who make everything happen.

“I don’t know many schools that have service trips,” Bermond said.

As a part of the Service Trips, Wartburg College has sent 1,572 volunteers across 181,154 miles to volunteer more than 60,000 hours of service. Students have volunteered in 98 cities in 31 states and five countries through the organization.

After she graduates, Bermond plans to head back to Kansas City, Missouri, to teach in a local school district. However, Wartburg will always have a place with her.

“I came up here and I loved the campus. I also loved the people. It just kind of felt like home, and it gave me a home away from home.”