Cassie Janisse

Amherstburg, Ontario
Graduating in the Concurrent BA/BEd/ECE program with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in mathematics, a Bachelor of Education, and an Early Childhood Education diploma from St. Clair College

How did you pick your major of study, and why did you choose the University of Windsor?

Psychology, Mathematics and Education are of great interest to me. I was happy to find a program that would allow me to pursue all three areas. I chose the University of Windsor because it is close to my hometown.

What were your expectations of university? Has the University of Windsor met those expectations?

I didn't quite know what to expect of university. I suppose I expected to put in a lot of hours studying and doing assignments, which I definitely did!

What would you say is the most important thing you have learned at university: about yourself, about other people, about your field of study, or about the world?

The most important thing I have learned at university is that I can do anything I set my mind to.

What would you say has been the most memorable part of your UWindsor experience?

One of the most memorable parts of my UWindsor experience is being President of the Lancer Dance Pack. My time with this team has fostered my growth as a dancer and as a leader, among several other areas of personal development. Another memorable experience is being a teaching assistant for Basic Quantitative Methods. This was an extremely valuable experience in that it gave me great practice at being a teacher for older students. Some of the most memorable times I have had throughout my five-year program have been during my field placement experiences in elementary schools, in which I had the opportunity to practice carrying out the role of a classroom teacher, while developing relationships I will never forget.

Please tell us why you are proud to be part of the University of Windsor’s graduating class of 2011.

I am proud to be part of the University of Windsor's graduating class because this represents a significant milestone that consists of celebrating achievements and looking forward to an exciting future.

Did you have a course, professor or classmate who inspired you?

Several people have inspired me throughout this experience, including: teammates and past leaders of the Lancer Dance Pack; teachers, administrators, students and communities during Teaching Practicum experiences; professors such as Dr. Orr (Psychology), Dr. Barron (Mathematics), Dr. Abeare (Psychology) and Dr. Allen (Education); my fellow teacher candidates who have shared this program with me; and students who gave me positive feedback as a Teaching Assistant, which made me feel as though I had chosen the right profession (teaching).

What are your plans following graduation?

Following graduation, I will be taking Additional Qualifications courses to qualify me to teach Mathematics in all school divisions. I will then be getting married and temporarily moving to Australia to teach, work and travel before returning home next year to apply for teaching positions in Ontario.