Margaret Barr
B.A.Ed. - Elementary Education
Education
- 2025, William & Mary, B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education and B.S. in Psychology
What kind of educational and professional experiences did you have prior to beginning this degree?
Prior to beginning this program, I had multiple experiences working with elementary aged students. In high school, I led a book club for 3rd through 5th graders, volunteered with a literacy education program and volunteered in a local elementary school. Before declaring my elementary education major, I worked for a rural nonprofit organization that focused on summer learning loss, taught English in Europe for a summer and volunteered in local Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) schools!
Why did you choose this field, and what motivates you in this work?
Before coming to William & Mary, I was hesitant about entering the field of education. However, as soon as I stepped foot in the School of Education, my professors provided me with inspiration and motivation. They have challenged me, encouraged me to follow my passions and given me opportunities to fall in love with education. Ultimately, I chose this field because of how much joy I feel every time I walk into my school building. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of pure love that you get from being in an elementary school! Watching my students grow and thrive - both as learners and individuals - is an experience that I never take for granted. My students motivate me every day to become a better teacher, individual and advocate.
What do you hope to be doing after graduation? In 10 or 15 years?
The William & Mary School of Education has shown me that education is my passion. I am currently pursuing a graduate degree in school counseling. In 10 or 15 years, I hope to be an elementary school counselor in an area where I feel as though I can make a significant impact and build relationships with both students and families.
Why did you choose William & Mary and specifically your degree program? What sets this degree program apart from those offered at other colleges?
When I was looking at colleges, I emailed various student contacts and asked them how they would describe their fellow students. When I heard from the William & Mary students, all three of them - from three completely different majors - used the word kind to describe their community. I knew that I wanted to be at the school where three people all somehow landed on the word “kind.” The William & Mary School of Education is most certainly filled with kind individuals. Every person that I have met in the School of Education is not only welcoming and kind, but is devoted to helping students succeed and shape the future of education. The Elementary Education program has challenged me and encouraged me to move outside of my comfort zone. I never imagined that I could take a college class that actually met at an elementary school and directly put theory into practice. Furthermore, my professors not only care about how I am as a future educator, but as an individual. They have been incredible mentors. While I may be approaching graduation, I know that my professors will always be a support system and resource for many years to come.
What has been the most influential experience you've had so far in your program?
During my time in the Elementary Education program, I have had the opportunity to work on various research projects through the W&M Literacy Lab. In the spring of 2023, I conducted my own research study investigating how students interpret diversity in children’s texts and submitted the study for publication in a peer reviewed journal. This was an incredible opportunity - I have created knowledge that can be implemented in classrooms and used by teachers across the country. Aside from this project, I’ve worked on multiple studies where we have examined reading motivation, core reading programs and diversity in texts. This experience has given me significant insight into the research process, while allowing me to examine strengths and weaknesses in the education system.
