AgEd Transfer Student Spotlight: Claire Bardsley

 

Claire Bardsley transferred to the University of Idaho Agricultural and Extension Education Department in the Fall of 2019 as an Agricultural Education major. She is from Modesto, California where she attended Modesto Junior College and graduated with two associate’s degrees during her time there. 

Bardsley dived into involvement on campus when she arrived at the University of Idaho. Snap decision making and going for things presented to her was how she got involved right away at UI. She has numerous involvements within the AEE department and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences by being involved in Sigma Alpha, Collegiate FFA, helping coordinate AEE Aroma Kits, and being an intern through the department for the Idaho FFA State Convention.

Bardsley always wanted to be a teacher, first thinking she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. She decided to become an agriculture teacher when she was into the pathway at her junior college. Going to a junior college helped her to explore different avenues of her education, and ultimately come to the conclusion that she wanted to become an agricultural educator.

She found the University of Idaho online, and knew she wanted to attend the university. It ended up being the only university that she applied to. She loved the program this department offered and how she would not just be one of many students, but would be able to experience a smaller teacher/student ratio within her remaining college experience. 

Bardsley had an enriching transfer experience. She had many successes - big and small. “I feel like one of the successes was learning how people pronounce things here.” She was able to balance a large course load as a transfer student and maintain a job during her academic career. She also faced many challenges especially while moving to a new area. “...it definitely was a culture change for me coming from the Central Valley of California. It's just different."

Bardsley will be student teaching this spring in Middleton, Idaho. When asked what she was excited for she said, “I'm excited to be in front of real life humans.” She is excited to impact students throughout her teaching career.

Bardsley plans to stay in Idaho after she graduates and teach in an Idaho high school. She really enjoys Idaho, but could also see herself moving elsewhere to teach if the opportunity arose because she likes experiencing new places and moving around. 

  

Written by Kiera Packer

Fall 2020

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CALS Ireland Study Abroad 2018

From Dublin to Dairies CALS students and faculty toured one of Ireland's agriculture research centers We were at the foot of a castle. Perched on a tall hill, impenetrable walls enclosed a millenium old round tower, cathedral, and chapel. The exposed rock of the castle was mottled and weathered, splotched with white lichen and hardy moss. After a stormy day, swirls of heavy clouds shed curtains of windblown mist across the landscape. Wind and rain lashed around us, but the castle remained still, unmoving, as if part of the earth itself.   “For those who are not faint-hearted” Dr. Ahmadzadeh called, “There is a striking view on the other side.” He pointed to a narrow, water bogged trail weaving around the sharply slanted hill. The ground had withstood hours of pouring rain, and was now saturated and unstable, shifting precariously under our feet. Undaunted, all eight students quickly fell in step behind him. We treaded through the long grass, stepping o
Read more

Student Spotlight: Sydney Anderson

Sydney Anderson is a senior studying ASCL in Twin Falls. Growing up in Nampa, Anderson was involved in agriculture in various ways. Her parents enrolled her in 4-H after getting a horse for her older sister and her to share; she continued to do 4-H for 12 years. Anderson got involved in the National FFA Organization because of her grandfather, who was President of the North Miami Chapter in Florida at the time. Her passion for leadership, serving others, and advocating for agriculture grew from then on.  “I chose to study ASCL because of the luxury of distance learning while having the ability to experience all the possible opportunities in the Magic Valley,” Anderson says. She believes that teaching individuals about agriculture and the impact it has on the world is extremely important. Anderson loves public speaking and coordinating events, so studying ASCL has helped her continue to learn about and keep an interest in a future career relating to these passions.  Anderson served as a
Read more