Brenna Arakelian
Major: Middle/Secondary Education and English
Hometown: Wildwood, Missouri

What made you decide on Butler during your college search?
When I was looking for schools, I already knew I wanted to pursue teaching, so I sought out schools with good education programs, and Butler happened to be one of them. Ultimately, I felt most at home with the campus, it was driving distance from my hometown, and I liked what I had seen about the College of Education.

What made you interested in studying Middle/Secondary Education?
My major is one of the unique ones where it directly translates to my job. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, so I declared my major as Middle/Secondary Education because it allowed me to have a more specific field of study and I chose English because of my love for reading and literature. 

What is your favorite part of being a student in the College of Education (COE)?
My favorite part about being a student in COE is how many opportunities we have to visit and observe schools. Butler has so many connections in the Indianapolis community and I am grateful I have seen so many different school settings.

Is there a particular faculty or staff member who has inspired you?
 Two professors have inspired me: Dr. Carol Reeves with the English department and Dr. Lisa Farley with COE. Both of these professors taught with a passion for their subjects that I wish to emulate in my own classroom, and they both led their students with grace, humor, and a desire for everyone to succeed.

What are some examples of experiential learning opportunities you’ve participated in?
My classmates and I have visited multiple schools: Indianapolis Public Schools schools, Pike Township, the International School, and Zionsville Community Schools. I am completing my student teaching at Pike High School and Zionsville West Middle School.

In what ways do you think COE is preparing you for life after graduation?
The connections COE has provided are what will set me up for success post-grad. All the people involved with the COE have extensive backgrounds and experiences. These connections have provided valuable mentorship, hands-on teaching opportunities, and guidance that will help me transition smoothly into my first teaching role.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of studying in COE?
I would say do it! I have had a great experience in COE, the people are nothing but kind, and even if you go in not knowing what you want, that’s okay. I am a big advocate for Middle/Secondary Education because you can explore other colleges within Butler as well. I would also encourage everyone to explore the minors COE offers.