Micaela Ethier is a member of Marist's M.A. in Educational Psychology Class of 2015. She holds a BA in Mathematics from with a Certificate in Education, Siena College and is employed by Saratoga Central Catholic High School as a Mathematics teacher.

Tell us about your work history before Marist, including years of experience, industry, companies, and positions. 
Before beginning my program at Marist, I completed my first year as a full-time mathematics teacher at Saratoga Central Catholic HS.  This environment has allowed me to view both middle and high school aged students and gain valuable experience in the field.

What are your career goals?
Currently, my goal is to continue learning and building my experience as a teacher with both middle and high school aged students. In the future, I would eventually like to become an administrator of a middle or high school. 

Why did you choose to pursue your degree at Marist?
During my first year of teaching, I found the usefulness of educational psychology in the classroom. Marist was able to offer a degree in which I had a strong interest in, as well as a program that leads to professional certification in NYS, which made this program a perfect fit for me. Also, the online program has allowed me to continue my education, while still being able to teach full time in Saratoga Springs.

Tell us about a project or course that was particularly meaningful to your professional development.
All of the assignments and courses that I have taken at Marist have been very meaningful for me. However, an especially meaningful assignment for me was an Early Adolescent Media Project for my Early Adolescent Development course. This course allowed me to understand the role and impact that media has on adolescents today. As times change, the impact of technology changes as well, and it was interesting to see how classic novels and modern movies change and develop adolescents’ identities.

How has a degree from Marist and your course work enhanced your career?
This program has helped me to understand the whole child and apply this knowledge to my classroom daily.  Each course I take at Marist has been directly applicable to what I am doing every day in the classroom, whether it be understanding assessment in a new way or viewing adolescents with a new light. Furthering my knowledge in Educational Psychology has helped me to also understand how to motivate my students further and help them to reach their full potential.

What advice would you give to a student considering pursuing their master’s degree at Marist?
My advice would be to be proactive in your assignments. Especially when working full time while working on your graduate degree, time management is more important than ever and it is crucial that you stay ahead on your work. 

If you took an online class or had online learning as part of a regular course, tell us about your experiences – any tips or suggestions to pass along to future students?
Since I am a part of the online program at Marist, iLearn (online courses) has become a part of my everyday life.  On iLearn, I have had the opportunity to discuss and debate with my colleagues, as well as view my grade book, submit assignments, and review lessons. The online experience has been a very positive one, and it is one that I feel will help me in the future. When taking an online course, it is crucial that you develop valuable time management skills, as well as diligence and focus. Online courses have helped me develop these skills, as well as become more confident in myself as a student.