Cawley named Student of the Month

Cawley, a junior from Bayard, Nebraska, said she chose CSC because of the surrounding community. Cawley said Chadron reminds her of Bayard, providing her with the comfort of a small town, but with more opportunities and activities.

Cawley hopes to graduate in December 2024 with a degree in elementary education. She plans to add a minor in special education or obtain a coaching endorsement before she graduates.

After graduation, Cawley plans to work as a substitute teacher, allowing herself time to find a school district that she enjoys. She likes the opportunity this would provide her to learn about different schools and their surrounding communities while seeking long-term employment as a third or fourth-grade teacher. Cawley plans to obtain her substitute teaching license in the coming school year.

She currently works at the after-school program at Chadron’s Intermediate School, an experience she said has helped her learn the age group she enjoys working with the most.

“I’ve always liked working with younger kids,” Cawley said, “but I’ve learned to enjoy this age group specifically because of their level of development. They’re at an age where they still think school is fun, but they have more focus than a kindergartener.”

Cawley values conversations with students in the program and credits them for encouraging her toward a teaching career.

“I’ve been surprised at the intelligent conversations I’ve had with those students. Getting to know them and working with them has helped me push through continuing to pursue my major,” Cawley said. “Getting to bond with those kids is very rewarding and helps me keep my end goal in mind when schoolwork gets tough.”

Cawley also credits Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Eric Rapp for helping her when she’s been doubtful about her education path.

“Dr. Rapp is my adviser and I had a class with him my first semester here. It was a rough time for me and he helped me through a lot of stuff during that time,” Cawley said.

Rapp notes Cawley’s responsibility and growth during her college career.

“Megan is going to be a wonderful teacher,” Rapp said. “She has taken on responsibilities as head-on and is succeeding at every turn. I first met Megan in an advising session in the fall semester of her freshman year. She has stopped by my office every semester since then to double-check that she is on track and to talk about future options in the teaching profession. In these visits, I have seen her gain confidence and grow academically as a pre-service teacher.”

Rapp also mentions his experience with Cawley as a student in one of his courses.

“When I had Megan in the Technology for Educators course, she always did high-quality work and what caught my attention was how skilled she was using different forms of technology,” Rapp said. “I have seen Megan whip around on her iPad showing me some of her class projects and moments later open her laptop and demonstrate an entirely different skill set. I’m confident Megan will be taking some of these technology skills with her into her future classroom where she will create engaging Technology Enhanced Learning opportunities for her students.”

Cawley is a member of the Education Club, which she describes as helpful to its members.

“They provide helpful resources and information, such as an email list with a list of schools currently paying their student teachers,” Cawley said.

When Cawley isn’t at work or focusing on her coursework, she enjoys reading and playing video games, both hobbies she said she learned to enjoy at a young age.

“I feel like I haven’t stopped reading since I learned how,” Cawley said. “When I was in elementary school I always loved being in the library, and video games are kind of the same way for me. My uncle let me play on his XBox once and I was hooked immediately.”

Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/.