Between earning her education major, a community leadership minor, and being a member of the AQ Cross Country team, Megan Skinner stays busy. But that hasn’t stopped her from taking advantage of the many opportunities that Aquinas offers its students.

While in high school, Skinner was considering large universities for her future. But at the urging of her cross country coach’s daughter, Skinner visited Aquinas, and knew instantly it would be a good fit. The idea of attending a small school stuck out to her, and when she came to Aquinas she felt at home.

“I really liked the friendly, community aspect,” Skinner said. “You’re able to build relationships with your professors, and you are expected to flourish, which is something you might not get at a big school.” After meeting with AQ Cross Country coach Mike Wojciakowski ‘97, the deal was sealed. “He made sure we came to Aquinas because we loved the school, not just because we loved running,” she said.

Skinner knew, upon coming to Aquinas, that she wanted to be a teacher, and her time here has only increased that desire. “I like the idea that I can do something by taking everything I’ve learned at Aquinas and putting it into practice and influencing children’s lives.” Skinner also mentioned how influential the School of Education is in clarifying those students who are passionate about education. The Introduction to Education course allows students to work four to five hours per week in a classroom, so they can determine early on if teaching is the right path for them. Skinner is pursuing a major in English/Language Arts for Elementary Education.

The various school environments in the Grand Rapids area help Aquinas students see the diversity of classrooms that allows them to adapt to different situations more easily. But Skinner didn’t stop at Grand Rapids. She has been able to shadow in classrooms across the world.

In spring 2014, her sophomore year, Skinner traveled to Tully Cross, Ireland to study abroad. Though it was a spur of the moment idea to apply, it was something that would change her life. “You meet so many people you wouldn’t normally have met,” Skinner said. “Study abroad gives you so many opportunities to build authentic relationships.” While in Ireland, she was able to do an internship with Lettergesh National School, just a few miles from where Skinner and the other Aquinas students lived. Because it is such a small village, Lettergesh National School is divided into two classrooms, one room is PreK through second grades, and the other is third through sixth grades. “I gained so much respect for the teachers,” Skinner said. “They had to be so versatile. I was in the third to sixth grade room, and my teacher had to adapt the lessons so it could be taught well to each age.” Skinner also expresses her joy at the relationships she built in that classroom. She was able to be heavily involved with teaching, and she was invited to several things with the kids, such as field trips, and the students’ confirmation in the Church.

Study abroad shapes a college experience like no other. It can be frightening at first, but Skinner says that she gained confidence because she studied abroad, and it is something she would never trade. “Tully Cross 2014 will always be a part of me,” she said. “It changed me in the best way, and I think I’m a better person because of it.”

Lettergesh National School was not the only culturally diverse classroom Skinner has experienced. In spring 2015, Skinner took part in the Service Learning trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she worked in a classroom at Saint Peter Claver Catholic School. Skinner helped out in Mrs. Robinson’s fourth grade classroom. A drastically different culture from the schools in Grand Rapids and Lettergesh National School, Skinner said, “It was crazy at times, but you just learn to roll with the punches.” Being so engaged in the classroom gave Skinner even more confidence to become a teacher, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Mrs. Robinson. “I’ve never really had a teacher tell me ‘Oh you’re going to be a great teacher,’ but she did,” Skinner remembers.

Teaching in Ireland encouraged Skinner to help children learn for the sake of learning, and New Orleans helped her to be adaptable to all situations. Each of the experiences have shaped Skinner’s understanding of education, which she hopes to adapt into her own unique teaching style in the future.

Aside from her distinctive experience with teaching, Skinner has been heavily involved with Community Leadership as well. As part of her Practicum and Capstone for her minor, Skinner has been working with Family Promise, a shelter designed specifically for families. The goal of Family Promise is to provide basic needs for families which allows them to become self-sufficient through the help of getting jobs, housing, and financial literacy education. Skinner started at the organization in fall 2014 doing data entry, filing, and providing thank yous for donors and volunteers. Starting out in this way allowed Skinner to build relationships with many of the staff members. As time went on, Skinner began to work as a tutor with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, through Family Promise. She also implemented new literacy programs for kids that she modeled after various education classes she has done and which she presented to Harper-Collins publishing.

Skinner also finds time to be a strong team member of the cross country team. “It’s about more than the sport,” she said. “It’s about being there for my teammates and encouraging myself to be the best I can be.” Throughout the years, Skinner has developed more of a leadership position within the team, making sure she sets an example as a good role model for the younger members of the team. “It takes a lot out of you,” she said, “but it’s worth it. My favorite part about being an athlete is the relationships I’ve built because of it.”

Strong relationships are one of the foundations of Skinner’s college experience. She has formed strong bonds not only with her teammates, but with her professors, and the other students who took part in her study abroad and service learning experiences. Every opportunity that Skinner has taken has encouraged her to do more. She is considering several possibilities for her future after she graduates in spring 2017. “I want to do as many things as I can and meet as many awesome people as I can,” she said, “and Aquinas lets me do that!”