Houghton proud of ability to balance multiple commitments
Those same teachers were the ones Houghton consulted when she was considering switching her major from marine biology to a biology secondary education.
“I talked to them because I had the idea [to teach], but I wanted to get what they thought because they’ve known me,” said Houghton. “They were all encouraging and said it would be a good fit for me.”
And in fact, it was. After all the time spent tutoring students at Waynesburg, teaching was a natural step.
By the time she graduated, Houghton was well-prepared for a career as a teacher, according to Dr. Marietta Wright, associate professor of biology. The two worked together to discuss tutoring material even before Wright had Houghton in class.
“We interacted in terms of getting on track with the information that she was going to discuss with her [tutees],” said Wright. “We would go over information if she was unfamiliar with any of that – but she wasn’t. In that capacity, she was really prepared for being a teacher.”
Wright was also impressed with Houghton’s organization, not only in classes, but also as an officer in the biology club.
“She was probably one of my most organized students,” said Wright. “I just wish all my students were like her.”
Houghton has always been equally impressed with Wright’s commitment to her students.
“Just how she invests her time in her students – I know now as a teacher how time-consuming everything is, and she’s always done her best to give comments, to give feedback,” said Houghton.
The professors at Waynesburg overall are one of the best parts about the university for Houghton. The whole campus feels like a close-knit family, said Houghton, and she valued the relationships she built with her professors. It’s those relationships and the insight she learned from them that she will take with her as she continues her journey toward finding a permanent science teaching position.”I could call [my professors] up any day and we could have a conversation about what we’re doing or about life in general, and they would be perfectly fine with that,” said Houghton. “I feel like I could consider them a friend down the road.”