Hi Class,
My name is Anna Russell and I am graduating in May! My concentrations are Biological Sciences and Education, which I arrived at thanks to my passion for children and nature. My concentration areas are an excellent indication of my identity, as I exude both the motherly attitude of an educator and the tree-hugger stereotype of a biologist. Most people assume, due to my concentration areas, that my career goals involve becoming a science teacher. Until recently, this ultimate goal was never part of my career plan. My passion for animals had led me to multiple positions in the animal training field including a summer as a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld. While a full-time position in animal training is still my favored objective, the tough state of the economy has opened my eyes to the likelihood that the already competitive field will be cut in half, forcing me to consider alternative options for the time being. This has led me to my new ambition to apply to the ASU graduate program called INCITE (Integrated Certification In Teacher Education) where I will be prepared to teach as well. I am excited to begin the application process and learn more about what it takes to be a teacher. Hopefully, the process will be positive and I will find passion and excitement for teaching in a classroom setting.
My applied study site is at the Phoenix Zoo, working with the manager of Zoo Experiences. So far, I have accomplished the composition of animal information sheets for the newest arrivals to the zoo, including the Andean Condor, the Kirk’s dik-dik, and the Gerenuk, to name a few. These initial responsibilities relate very well to my concentrations as I am preparing information to educate zoo volunteers and interns about the animals at the zoo. The volunteers will take my researched information out to the public and share the message of conservation and care for our world. The Phoenix Zoo is a not-for-profit organization devoted to educating the public about animals and getting them excited about nature. This section of BIS 401 should fit perfectly with my passions, my concentrations, and my applied study site, and I look forward to a great semester!
