Macey Ackman

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated in December of 2011 with my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and May 2013 with my Master's in Education.

What jobs have you landed?
I interviewed over the phone the summer after graduation (2013) and then successfully landed the 7th grade writing position in Parker Unified School District in Parker, Arizona. Since then, I have taught multiple subjects for grades 6-8. This district is located on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation and has a pretty even split of Native American and Hispanic students. 

How did you prepare for interviews?
My classes, interactions with mentors and peers about the interview process and various ‘"do's and do not's" for education-based interviews all helped prepare me for what to expect. Also attending job fairs advertised through the university helped prepare me by hearing the main buzzwords and phrases I’d continually hear throughout preliminary interviews.

What have you done well with your position?
I was able to start an intramural soccer league through the two elementary schools where we were able to get over 40 kids involved on three separate teams. After that went well, the district allowed me to continue with a traveling middle school team.

I’ve been the National Junior Honor Society sponsor, as well as student council for 4 years. I’ve been the liaison for my middle school's campus and various entities outside the school district, such as PAACE: Parker Area Alliance for Community Empowerment, the chamber of commerce, the local animal shelters, the Native American Tribal Council, the Parks and Rec. Dept.

Lastly, I've been able to start my own gifted class called Parker Planet Protectors where we focus on service learning, gardening, volunteer work and sustainability in a few different realms. We've interview Tribal Council about their past and what they can teach the younger generations, we were able to make a bulletin board made of recycled bottle caps that represent each individual tribe within the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and we were able to put on two sunrise hikes with breakfast and tribal dishes at our local P Mountain. That mountain is a 2 mile hike and reaches an elevation of 1,665 feet. I was able to get almost 30 kids to both hikes that we did last year. One other neat thing, I'm able to teach is the gifted class called Lego League, where my students compete in a robotics competition that also focuses around a real-world issue that they try to solve, all while learning coding and programming. We took first place at the regional competition last year that was held at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona. This year's theme is Hydro Dynamics, so we will be coming up with ideas on how to solve problems revolving around the finding, use, transporting, and disposal of water around the globe.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
The last few years I've been the Softball Coordinator on the Little League Board for Parker, AZ. In addition to coaching, I've been able to teach about 6 girls how to pitch for fast pitch softball as well. I started playing on a Co-Ed adult softball league in Lake Havasu City with some other teachers too. Parker is a diverse and interesting area, and a great place to begin teaching. I've learned a lot about myself, human nature, and the Southwestern United States. I'd suggest to any SRU students who are interested in moving for a teaching job to contact me because we have plenty of openings every year! We live right along the Colorado River in our own little paradise!

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
The Education department at SRU gives you a good look into what to expect as an educator in today’s world. You never really understand what it’s like to be in your own classroom until you’re in that moment, though. Every day becomes a new learning experience. 

Dr. Lacom, Dr. D DiMarco, and Dr. Permenter were all very influential, allowing me to see what good teaching looks like, but also how important it is to have your passion shine through in your teaching. Dr. Hicks was always able to give us a uniquely honest depiction of what to expect in our first few years in the classroom.

Dr. Mark Campbell was always helpful and a great advisor.

I was on the women’s rugby team while at SRU, and I have that experience to thank for finding my best friends. The familial atmosphere of the rugby club gave me the most amazing college experience I could have asked for, turning strangers into family.