Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Kaiser graduated from UMN Morris in 2019 with a degree in elementary education. That led her to a middle school teaching position at an international school in Stockholm, Sweden, where she taught sixth and seventh grade math.
Lizzie was recruited to attend UMN Morris from Bismarck, North Dakota, by then-head volleyball coach Chad Braeglemann. But she soon found that Morris was a great fit, even off the court. “I loved the quaintness of the small town and how everyone knew of everyone on campus. I was also really impressed by the education program and its professors, which ultimately made it an easy decision for me to attend Morris.”
Lizzie knows that being at a small school like Morris can be a challenge when you’re used to living in a larger community. But she discovered that size isn’t everything when it comes to colleges. “The difference between UMN Morris and a larger school is that everyone will know you by name -- at Morris, you are not just a number. The class sizes are small, and the professors take the time to know their students. Depending on the program, students will often work closely with the same professors from freshman to senior year. Even three years after I’ve graduated, and I still keep in touch with a few of my professors.”
In fact, Lizzie feels that with time, you may never want to leave Morris. “The small-town care and attentiveness that I received was exactly what I needed as an initially scared and clueless 17 year old, who eventually evolved into a sure-of-herself 21 year old, ready to tackle the world. But if that did nothing to convince you, Deb’s Sizzling Salad Bar will truly be the most joyous and delicious part of your day, every day of the week.”
Lizzie admits that it’s a crazy time to be a teacher, but she felt like she was as prepared as possible to step into a classroom. “During my time in the UMN Morris elementary education program, I had teaching placements at various types of schools in kindergarten, second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth grade classrooms. It was such an incredible opportunity to receive that type of well-rounded classroom exposure. I was also able to study abroad in my senior year, as Professor Sara Lam thoroughly supported me in completing my four-month student teaching placement in Bray, Ireland.”
While the classes and campus were great, Lizzie found that it was the people who made her college experience exceptional. “The friends that I met during my freshman year are the same friends who are still in my life seven years later. I’ve been a member of their weddings, celebrated their birthdays or great life achievements, and even held their newborn babies. I hold my time at Morris very near and dear to my heart, because it gifted me with some of the best friendships and memories.”
The big difference between UMN Morris and a larger school is that everyone will know you by name.