For rising MSU College of Education junior Sophia Amori, the dedication of outstanding educators throughout her life inspired her pursuit of a degree in elementary education with a PreK-12 teaching endorsement in English as a second language (ESL).
“I wanted a career where I could reflect their example of selflessness – the best way to do that was to become a teacher myself,” she shared.
As the 21st member of her family to attend MSU, East Lansing has always felt like home. Even more than the fond memories of visiting cousins and siblings on campus, it was the college’s preeminence as the #1 Elementary Teacher Education program in the country for over 30 years that solidified Amori’s decision to be a Spartan.
Building upon a foundational belief that being an educator is a selfless calling, Amori’s philosophy has evolved to embrace the uniqueness of the profession – “a single person has the ability to strongly influence large groups of individuals who will go on to lead different lives, using what was taught to them to direct their decisions.” Amori not only understands that responsibility, but embraces it wholeheartedly.
From the start of her education classes at MSU, Amori noticed how attuned professors were to the needs of their students.
“Their empathy was consistent, and witnessing their balance of leadership and service influences the way I act as a leader in my everyday life,” she said. “Everyone is born with equal inherent dignity, and my professors exemplified that, though I am in a position of power as an educator, I am not superior to those I guide.”
Through in-classroom learning integrated into the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) curriculum, Amori has been able to hone her teaching philosophy, expanding on the lessons learned from her instructors.
“Being a ‘preservice’ teacher instead of a ‘certified’ teacher means nothing to the students,” she said. “When I am with them, they view me as a trusted adult – I have just as much ability to influence their lives. By knowing and supporting the students as individuals, I can meet them where they are."
Consistent with her stage in the curriculum, Amori has only been in classrooms for a few hours a week during the semester.
Yet, the impact has been profound.
“My presence shows the students that there is at least one other adult who believes in their success and future,” she reflected.
As she prepares for the final years of her undergraduate studies, these impactful opportunities will only increase.
When facing what she identifies as challenges of the modern PreK-12 academic environment – like a lack of student confidence in the ability to learn and reliance on tools like artificial intelligence (AI) as a remedy – Amori credits her TPP classes for providing the necessary resources for future educators to support students in overcoming these feelings of adversity.
Inspired, she mused: “As an educator, I hope to instill the lost love of problem-solving and person-to-person connection through an emphasis on group discussions, classroom community and exemplifying that no one is perfect.”
In addition to excelling in the TPP program, Amori is the incoming president of MSU’s Kappa Delta Pi education honor society chapter and joined the college’s Alumni Board in July as the undergraduate student representative for the 2026-27 term.
To learn more about ways to support future leaders in the classroom like Amori, please contact Senior Director of Development Tonya Frisbey at 517-432-0417 or frisbey2@msu.edu.
If you are interested in joining the College of Education Alumni Board or nominating an outstanding alum or student representative, please contact Ryan C. Smith at 517-353-4994 or cedalum@msu.edu.