Elizabeth Birchem 

Professional Q & A   - Dr.Macelwee

Q:Where did you grow up/ where are you from?

A:Moved around a lot , Arkansas, Pennslyvainia,  Texas, Florida
Q:Why did you move here?
A:  I wanted to learn to snowboard, as basic as it sounds, after living in Florida the beach life wasn't for me. Applied to jobs all over the west and Colorado is the first place I got an interview. 
Q:Where did you go to school?
A: Did my associates in Florida, Then did my bachelors at CMU and doctorate at NCU, here in Colorado.
Q:How did you become interested in teaching?
A: I wasn't planning on becoming a teacher and an old principle reached out to me that they needed a teacher immediately.
Q:What was your major in college?
A:Began with theater and engineering, then switched to Mathematics.
Q:Favorite thing about the job?
A:Seeing that epiphany moment, and when students bring in real world applications to the content.
Q:Did you ever work as a teaching assistant?
A: Briefly before my first teaching job but for a theater class.
Q:If you could be in a different business what would it be?
A: Teach yoga classes, do classes for specific sports and careers.
Q:If you could go back to the beginning of your career would you do anything differently?
A: I wish I  did my masters and doctorate degrees that were geared to a specific career. 
Q:Besides your education, what makes you successful?
A: The variety of interests I've had, the places I've lived, the range of people I've worked with,  the different social-economic backgrounds I've worked with, so I always have something to connect with, with every student. The more you understand the people you're teaching the more relatable you can make the material. 
Q: What the best way for me to develop those skills?
A: Be willing to try everything once, be open to different background, find the good in everything. 

My goals...

• Use my voice and not being afraid to say something when something needs to be addressed

• Don't be afraid of connection

• Improve my time managment