Ashley Nelson, a student in UMD's Integrated Elementary & Special Education (IESE) program, took some time to reflect on her student teaching experience last semester at Lester Park Elementary.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a student teacher?

I learned more lessons with my students and my cooperating teacher than I can count. I feel like each day was an opportunity to grow and learn more about myself as a future educator, but also each of my students. I came to know that your love for your students comes as the number one priority in this space. Anything that you come into the classroom with, or that they come into the classroom with, is left at the door, and you get to choose each day to give them the opportunity to grow as the little humans they are. Building connections with each of these students taught them their immeasurable worth to me as their teacher, but also led as an example of how they should love and care for each other.

Was there anything that surprised you about student teaching?

I was surprised going into student teaching by how overwhelmingly welcoming the school team was. On day one, walking through the door, I was immediately greeted as if I was just another new teacher coming into the school—my name on the mailbox, all the access to the staff snacks, and most importantly, the uplifting smiles each day as I walked through the halls.   

What do you like about the IESE program?

I think that the UMD IESE program is one of, if not the best, program of its kind. Getting over a thousand hours in a classroom is the most excellent opportunity to implement all our academic learning into the classroom. The program’s focus on an integration in special education and general education is absolutely key and fundamental, in my opinion, of what a licensure program should include. This semester and every semester previous, I have felt so confident in meeting the needs of each and every one of my students, from accommodations to modifications, IEP meetings, and everything in between.

What has been your most meaningful experience so far at UMD?

I cannot choose just one experience to claim as my most meaningful at UMD, but if I could count the over 100 connections I have made with each of my wonderfully unique and special students, that is what I would claim as most meaningful. This whole process going through the IESE program has been given so much purpose because of those connections. There’s nothing like walking into a UMD hockey game or Target and seeing a previous student and seeing their face light up. They are beyond excited to see an old teacher, but I am more than excited to see a little life that I have impacted in a grand way.

What are your future career goals?

My future career goals are to change the lives of little humans for the rest of my career. Knowing each of these kids come in with something different, and meeting them where they are. I want to teach, of course, but I really want to just make a difference in the world of these kids. We as teachers have this unique super power to touch these children’s lives every day and guide them in figuring out who they will become.

This story was first published on January 5, 2026, by the College of Education and Human Service Professions.