My Life as an Education Major

Hello there, my name is Emma Vaccaro, or as my fourth graders know me, Ms. Vaccaro. As you've probably guessed, I’m an education major - but I also study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). As an education student at Hofstra, I have the privilege of observing and teaching a local fourth grade class three days a week. I love being in the classroom, gaining experience and making connections. 

Studying STEM has encouraged me to approach many of my teaching lessons from a slightly different perspective. The most recent lesson I’ve planned will cover climate change and its effect on temperature and our world today. For this lesson, I have been working in tandem with my science methods course teacher and the elementary school’s science lab teacher. As mentors, they have been extremely helpful to me.

The elementary school’s science lab teacher has generously offered his lab and thermometers to help the class learn. In the lab, my students will display their understanding of climate change by recreating the greenhouse effect on a smaller scale. In addition, they will be reinforcing their knowledge of reading a thermometer.

I am incredibly excited for all of my opportunities and to be gaining such incredible teaching experience.

Internship Spotlight: Taylla

Hey! My name is Taylla, and I'm a senior TV and Film student from Montgomery County, Maryland. When you become a Hofstra student, something that you learn fairly quickly is that interning is a big deal. In my classes, I have received a great amount of experience in studios and editing laboratories. However, our professors encourage us to go out and utilize New York City. Therefore, in my four years at Hofstra, I have had the pleasure to intern at three great companies. My current internship is admirably my favorite. 

Telsey + Company is a casting company based both in New York and Los Angeles. The company casts for television, film, Broadway musicals and plays. My title at Telsey is "casting intern," where I work with a team of seven other interns. I've had the opportunity to sit in on auditions for Hamilton and Anastasia and am in the presence of creative teams for projects. The Telsey casting directors, including the founder Bernie Telsey, have taken the time to talk to us about their experience at the company. Being at Telsey has been rewarding for a number of reasons. 

The opportunities to learn and use software like Casting Networks (training provided by Hofstra alumni) and CastIt have benefited me and are a great resume builder. I have had the pleasure of witnessing a project being fully casted as an intern for the entire semester. The relationships I've made at Telsey and with the creative teams have been unforgettable. I am most grateful for Telsey + Company for making me feel like a part of the team. 

Senator Kemp Hannon Visited My Class

Hey! My name is Jane Mitchell, and I'm a senior Health Science/Pre-Med student from Walnut Creek, CA. As you may know, December 1 is recognized as World AIDS day. To spread awareness on Hofstra’s campus, my healthcare reform class welcomed New York’s Senator Kemp Hannon as a guest lecturer. Senator Kemp is on the frontline of healthcare policy and reform for New York.

Senator Kemp Hannon 

During his visit, Hannon spoke about difficulties in healthcare reform and New York’s current innovations and programs. In addition, he spoke about the changing political field within our country. It was interesting to hear a Senator speak about how everyday bipartisan work is done for reforms that will benefit the people in our communities. He answered every question the class had, including mine about his team’s next steps in healthcare policy. I appreciated his professional opinion regarding ideas of both local and national healthcare policy think tanks. Having a current healthcare policymaker discussing the future of healthcare policy was definitely a highlight of my semester!

Application Tips and Tricks!

With the Early Action II deadline coming up on December 15, we came up with some helpful tips the make the process a little easier. Check them out!

1. Be Yourself

Hofstra wants to see who you really are. The greatest thing about the Hofstra Pride is that we accept and celebrate everyone. Trust us when we say there’s a place for you here. Don't be afraid to be yourself, because that’s the best version of you.

2. Don’t Stress

We’ve all been there. Applying to college can be a stressful time. As long as you manage your time well, you’ll be okay. Try to apply Early Action if you can. That way you’ll get your decision by mid-December. It’ll be a huge weight off. It’s just one less thing to worry about once you get your application in.

3. Read It Over

Do not be afraid to ask for help with your application. Take your essays to an English teacher and they’ll help you revise them. If you want to submit a portfolio, double check with a teacher to make sure you have everything you want to submit. Don’t forget to take your time with your application, and check it over a few times before you send it to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

4. Visit

Hofstra University hosts numerous visit events each semester. Take advantage of them so you can familiarize yourself with our campus and programs. You’ll feel more and more at home the more you visit, and speaking from personal experience, you’ll be more excited to return to campus. Come to our open houses, College for a Day events, or just sign up for a campus tour or an Up-Close shadowing day!

5. Ask Questions

You’ll probably have your admission counselor visit your high school at one point or another. Make an effort to get to know them and understand what you need to do in order to apply. They’ll make applying painless and restore your self-confidence in such a stressful 

time. They’ll walk you through anything you need.

6. Relax

We get it. College seems intimidating and so far away. Senior year of high school goes by in a flash. Just pace yourself when applying, send your applications in early, and take a deep breath. Enjoy the holidays and the rest of senior year because you deserve it. We hope to see you soon as part of the Pride. 

**Our best piece of advice is to get to know your Pride Guides! We were in your shoes once, and we completely understand what you’re going through. Take advantage of what we have to offer and how we found the school that best fit us! Coming to an Admission event is always beneficial, but if you want a more in-depth experience, sign up for an Up-Close visit, where you spend the day as a Hofstra student! You’ll attend an actual class you could take for your major, speak with students, and really witness the Hofstra Pride in its everyday state.

We wish you great success, little to no stress, an easy application process, and a wonderful senior year. We hope to see you soon!

Written by: Brittany McGowan & Ariel McHone

Photo Crazy

Hi, I'm Joseph and I'm a senior marketing and management major from Tampa Bay, Florida. I have a problem - I can't help but take photos of campus anywhere I go. Whether I'm on my way to class or headed to a meeting, I have this need to stop and take photos. I've even had friends send me Snapchats of me taking pictures. I feel like I'm in some enchanted garden as opposed to a college campus half the time. The light hits the flowers just right or the leaves blow ever so perfectly. This past weekend I was strolling to the library to get started on a paper and ... well... this impromptu photoshoot happened:

One of my favorite buildings on campus: Hofstra Hall

Shine bright, like our library!

Look at that foliage!

It's all about perspective...

If you want to see more of my random pictures, follow us on Instagram, as I'm the Social Media Chair for the Pride Guides. And don't forget to join the #HofViews conversation on social media!

Additional Instagram Account: HofstraU