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Congratulations on your acceptance to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½! As you begin this exciting journey, my biggest piece of advice is simple: Stay curious and say yes to opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone.

I chose Hofstra because of the people. Growing up on Long Island, I always knew about the University. It was the kindness of someone in the Office of Admission that convinced me that Hofstra is a place where each individual matters. That first interaction showed me what I’ve experienced again and again at Hofstra: This is a community that sees you.

Finding my major took time. Through incredible mentors in Hofstra’s Department of Political Science and the School of Education, I found that teaching is about more than delivering content. It’s about creating classrooms where ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ feel valued and develop a love of learning.

With the support of my professors and field supervisors in the School of Education, I’ve grown confident in my ability to lead a class. Each lesson I plan feels like a step toward the educator I hope to become.

Reflecting on my time at Hofstra, I’m so grateful for the faculty who challenged me, the friends who became family, and a campus community that became my second home. As you begin your own journey, be open to growth. Get involved with activities that are meaningful and personal to you. You’ll find that the more you invest in life on campus, the more it will invest in you.

Having lived with her grandmother her entire life – and eventually stepping into the role of caretaker as her grandmother grew older – she understood firsthand the importance of companionship across generations.

Erin also held leadership roles in Overbooked, Hofstra’s book club, and worked as a peer teacher, gaining hands-on experience in the classroom. Working closely with Political Science Adjunct Assistant Professor Celeste Kaufman helped Erin see how strong educators create environments rooted in encouragement, accountability, and care.

+Although she explored several academic interests over the years, Erin earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and will soon graduate with her master’s in secondary social studies education. Mentors such as Professors Kaufman, Paul Fritz (Political Science), and Alan Singer (Teaching, Learning, and Technology) played an important role in her journey, challenging her to think critically and refine her voice as a future educator. Her academic work even led to a published curriculum review in Teaching Social Studies, an accomplishment she describes as both exciting and affirming.

Through student teaching placements arranged with the support of Hofstra’s School of Education, Erin gained confidence in lesson planning and classroom leadership, solidifying her goal of becoming a full-time social studies teacher.