Poppe named February Student of the Month  

Poppe, an elementary education major with an endorsement in early childhood education, looks forward to one day being an elementary educator.

According to Poppe, her first-grade teacher inspired her to become an educator.

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in between her cerebellum and brain stem at the age of six, her first-grade teacher, Jessica Walston, became one of her biggest supporters and strongest influences.

“I kind of just had an epiphany my junior year of high school and decided I didn’t want to be a veterinarian anymore,” Poppe said. “So, I went to talk to Mrs. Walston, and she helped me learn that I wanted to become a teacher.”

That decision also helped Poppe feel a call to come to CSC.

“Attending CSC had already been on my mind because my brother graduated from here and told me I should go to Chadron, but Mrs. Walston also graduated from CSC, and they had a reputable education program, so it made sense to go to CSC,” Poppe said.

Poppe’s favorite course she’s taken at CSC is Assessment Foundations with Education Instructor Jessica Heesacker.

“I felt like this was an important course because it’s where we learned the foundation of assessment planning,” Poppe said. “We learned about planning different assignments and how to write teacher work samples and it’s where we learned about what the foundation of teaching really is.”

Heesacker admires Poppe’s desire to be a valuable educator in the future.

“Isabella has a deep desire to become the best teacher possible and she demonstrates this by immersing herself in classroom discussions and pushing her peers to be critical thinkers,” Heesacker said. “She doesn’t hesitate to offer her insights as they relate to education and learning; her tenacity and unwavering dedication mark her as a future educator of immense value.”

Poppe is looking forward to student teaching in the future and hopes to find a long-term K-3 teaching position in a smaller school around the Hastings area after completing her degree.

“The idea of getting to be a positive influence on the younger generation just brings me so much joy,” Poppe said. “I love that younger children are so inspired by everything and when they’re younger is when you get to shape them into who they will become, and the idea that I could potentially be one of their biggest influences motivates me.”

Recovering from five brain surgeries, Poppe has faced many challenges including affected vision.

“Vision has been the biggest challenge for me,” Poppe said. “I was told I would never be able to drive when I was younger, and then a couple of years ago my doctor told me that I could try to get my learner’s permit. I ended up getting my driver’s license last summer when I was 19, and the whole experience has just been really eye-opening for me.”

Poppe feels like this experience has helped her have a positive outlook on life.

“I feel like I’ve learned to look for the good in every situation and just be happy and live life to the fullest,” Poppe said. “I used to take a lot of things for granted, like being driven around, and now I feel like I’m more grateful for everything. I truly appreciate everything that I have, and thinking back to when I was going through everything when I was little helps me when I struggle.”

Poppe is a member of the Wildlife Club, the Education Club, and enjoys traveling, hiking, and coloring in her free time.

Coloring is especially important to Poppe because it is a stress reliever for her.

“I remember when I was in the hospital for all of my brain surgeries; I just wanted to color when I was there,” she said. “It helped me take my mind off everything, and it’s been a source of stress relief for me ever since. I can just let my creativity flow.”

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/.