Knights in the Classroom

Ep 9 - Summer Cress: Elementary Education '22, Master of Arts in Special Education '23

Summer Cress is a Knight in the Classroom! She is a 2018 graduate of Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis and earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 2022 from Marian University. Summer continued at Marian by completing the 4+1 residency program where she earned her Master of Arts in Special Education in 2023. Summer is an educator, a coach, and a role model for her students in and out of the classroom, so listen to how she is living out Marian University's vision to “transform lives, society, and the world” with her students. (00:00) Knights in the Classroom intro (00:28) Introducing Summer Cress (05:29) Involvement in theater and tee ball coaching (11:02) Decision to study education (22:06) Growth as an educator (24:59) Marian's impact on her teaching (28:21) Challenges encountered (32:14) Advice for someone considering the education profession

Ep 8 - Lyric Jones: Elementary Education '23, Master of Arts in Teaching '24

Lyric Jones is a Knight in the Classroom! She is a graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, IN and earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 2023 from Marian University. Lyric continued at Marian by completing the 4+1 residency program where she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2024. Lyric is a dedicated educator who constantly focuses on her own growth, so listen to how she is living out Marian University's vision to “transform lives, society, and the world” with her students. (00:00) Knights in the Classroom intro (00:27) Introducing Lyric Jones (03:48) Embarrassing moments in the classroom...and the gym! (07:19) Decision to pursue becoming an educator (10:52) The impact of the Marian residency program (16:00) Teaching math and growing in literacy (19:35) Growth as an educator (22:07) Preparing 3rd graders for standardized testing (27:57) Working with data as a new teacher (30:22) Advice for someone considering becoming a teacher (32:11) Building a classroom community

Ep 7 - Kain Rust: Elementary Education '21

Kain Rust is a Knight in the Classroom! Kain enrolled in the Fred S. Klipsch Educators college at Marian University after graduating from Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis. Kain was a member of the Marian wrestling team and earned his degree in Elementary Education in 2021. Listen to how Kain is living out Marian University's vision to “transform lives, society, and the world” with his students and the athletes he coaches. (00:00) Knights in the Classroom overview (00:29) Introducing Kain Rust (01:04) Kain's teaching background (04:25) Serving as a high school wrestling coach (08:02) The best restroom duty teacher (08:24) Reasons for choosing the teaching profession (15:18) First year of teaching (21:18) Griddy dance contest...in the cafeteria (22:17) Growth as a teacher (30:34) Impact of Marian's teacher education program (33:15) Advice for someone considering becoming a teacher

Ep 6 - Taylor Grant: Elementary Education '21, Master of Arts in Teaching '22

Taylor Grant is a Knight in the Classroom! Taylor graduated from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis and earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 2021 from Marian. Taylor then went on to complete the 4+1 residency program where she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2022. Listen to how Taylor is living out Marian University's vision to “transform lives, society, and the world” with her elementary students. (00:00) Knights in the Classroom overview (00:29) Introducing Taylor Grant (02:05) Taylor's career background (06:56) Reasons for choosing education as a profession (10:07) First year of teaching (13:55) Growth as a teacher (17:50) Challenges faced in the early years (24:57) Lessons learned from education program at Marian (26:57) Advice for someone considering becoming a teacher

Ep 5 - Treanna McKinney: Elementary Education '23, Master of Arts in Special Education '24

Treanna McKinney is a Knight in the Classroom! She is a 2019 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis and earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in 2023 from Marian University. Treanna continued at Marian by completing the 4+1 residency program where she earned her Master of Arts in Special Education in 2024. Treanna is a leader and role model for her students in and out of the classroom, so listen to how she is living out Marian University's vision to “transform lives, society, and the world” with her students. (00:00) Knights in the Classroom overview (00:27) Introducing Treanna McKinney (00:51) My apology to Treanna for my embarrassing email (03:06) Teaching career up to this point (07:25) Coaching cross country and other extracurriculars (12:14) Reasons for choosing to be an educator (17:55) Advocating for pursuing the residency (4+1) program at Marian (19:38) Singing over the loud speaker for the whole school (23:22) Growth from beginning of teaching career (26:50) Leading a professional development session for her peers (29:44) Unexpected challenges of being an educator (32:55) Impact of Marian's education program (39:19) Advice for people considering the teaching profession