Student Spotlight - Elizabeth Ratzlaff

What did you study at EvCC?
Early Childhood Education

Why did you choose EvCC?
I chose EvCC because it was close to home and I got great reviews from other people that had attended classes and completed programs there. I liked the fact that I had friends going there. I was also impressed with how nice the campus was and how helpful the staff were. I knew what degree program I wanted to pursue and EvCC had a great ECE department.

Who helped you succeed at EvCC? What did that person do to help you?
Michelle Barnes is the first name that comes to mind. She was my advisor from the beginning and helped me plan my quarters effectively. She was such an encouragement to me in class as she taught many of the classes I took. She gives great feedback and believes in her students. She does her best to help us succeed in this field and pushes us to give our best work.

What advice do you have for new EvCC students?
I would say that the most important thing to remember is that everyone at EvCC wants you to succeed. Take advantage of all the tools and supports available so you can do your best. Don’t compare yourself to other students because we all have different strengths and weaknesses. Take control of your future and push yourself to work hard and give your best. Most of all, enjoy this time in your life and get to know the people around you. You never know how you may impact them, or how they might just impact you.

What do you plan to do next?
I plan to apply for full-time work as a preschool teacher and enjoy this new phase of life

Update November 2016: I am currently employed at the Early Learning Center as an Assistant Teacher in the ECEAP preschool program. I am so excited that I get to continue being part of EvCC and serve the students and staff of EvCC as well as the community.

Describe the best experience you had at EvCC.
There was this one instance where I had a difficult situation with a child at my job as a part-time teacher’s assistant. The child was displaying some behavioral and developmental challenges that I wasn’t sure how to best to handle. I contacted one of my former professors, Larry Spadoni, and he took the time to meet with me at Starbucks for a few hours just to talk it through and help me figure out how to help this child. I so appreciated how he gave me his time and shared his personal experience to help me out.

Anything else you want to add?
Just that I am so grateful for the time I have been at EvCC. I have grown as a person and in my knowledge of my field and I’m really excited about that.