Student Profiles: Kristin Allen
Although South Boston native and Pre-Education Major Kristin Allen says that
she comes from a typical family -- two parents, two kids, plus a dog and two
cats – she says that her extended family is “fairly large, and
we are a pretty close bunch. We’re from a rural area, which makes us
traditional and conservative, if not slightly old-fashioned at times.”
Those who know Kristin describe her in other terms as well: friendly, outgoing, supportive, kind, and (last but not least) smart.
Kristin’s small town Americana upbringing actually made her feel at home when she came to VT. “I fell in love with the beautiful campus,” she states. “Also, I liked the fact that VT incorporates a small-town feel with a university setting. I also like the idea of a small English department where things are more personal!”
Her first “A” on a paper in Tom Gardner’s section of ENGL 2604: Intro to Critical Reading has been her proudest moment as an English major. “It was on the final paper and I thought I would never make an A! I really felt like I had accomplished something,” she notes. “Plus, it was freshman year so it made me a little more confident that I had chosen the right major.”
Since then, Kristin’s confidence has grown. She enjoys both reading and writing, but also admits that she “at times dread[s] both. I like to have a mix because that way I don't get burnt out with one or the other and can still enjoy my assignments despite the fact that they are really ‘work,’” she says.
One of Kristin’s favorite reads remains Bridge to Terabithia, which she first read as a child. “I could read it over and over and never tire of it,” she says. “It's a good combination of childhood fantasy and reality. It's harder to choose an ‘adult’ favorite because I enjoy most of what I read. I know what types I like and don't like so I try to choose my reading material accordingly.”
After she graduates in Spring 2008, Kristin plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she admits. Her Pre-Ed English degree and a History minor should prepare her effectively for the junior and senior high school students she one day hopes to teach. In five years, Kristin hopes that she indeed will be teaching and “feeling like I'm making a difference with my students.”