For almost a decade, the Student Association for Young Children has been an active organization on campus for students who are elementary education majors.
The chapter holds meetings throughout the semester, featuring speakers from the education field.
According to ETSU chapter Co-Vice President Cynthia Grinsell, an education major will benefit greatly from joining this organization.
“The obvious benefit of being in a professional organization is that it looks good on a resum,” she said. “We do a lot of fundraisers to go to national, state and regional conferences. We also do family fun day in April, which benefits the community.”
In the last decade, this group has grown dramatically. Grinsell has witnessed that first-hand.
“When I was in it as an undergraduate student, we had about 20 or 25 people,” she said. “I think this year we have over 100 members. It’s grown greatly in the last three years.”
Grinsell believes there are several reasons for the interest in this organization.
“I think people are interested in making a difference, plus it looks good on a resum and to know you were involved with an organization that benefits and helps you to gain knowledge about your profession,” she said.
During Grinsell’s tenure at the SAYC, she has had the opportunity to meet some people who she and other education students would be familiar with.
“I’ve met a lot of great contacts professionally and socially,” she said. “I’ve been to conferences and have seen authors that have written books that I’ve had in classes. I’ve also met nationally-known people in my field.”
The group does have teachers from throughout the area, but they also get support from faculty members. Some of the faculty are former members of the organization who have been a big help to the group.
“A couple of former students are faculty members that come to the meetings and support us,” Grinsell said. “They help us verbally and with their time and effort. We have a lot of support from our faculty and staff, as well as former students.”
For Grinsell, being an officer has made the experience more worthwhile.
“It’s really helped me with my leadership abilities,” she said. “I know that at each meeting I’m making a difference in people’s lives. I’m also gaining knowledge about my career and helping to better myself.”
Grinsell urges elementary education students who are not members of this organization to join. She believes that you can truly better yourself by doing it.
“You will be able to know that you are bettering yourself in other fields than just your studies,” she said.
“You’re also helping the community, which is what being a teacher is all about. This is another way to help educate children.