Alison Mayer
B.A.Ed. - Elementary Education with a Concentration in Special Education
Education
- 2025, William & Mary, B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education
What kind of educational and professional experiences did you have prior to beginning this degree?
Prior to beginning my studies at William & Mary, I graduated from high school in 2021. During this time, I pursued a variety of extracurricular activities but particularly enjoyed my time tutoring and working as a camp counselor. These experiences led me to take courses in the School of Education as a first-year student, where I ultimately found my passion for education.
Why did you choose this field, and what motivates you in this work?
I’ve always loved working with children and knew early on that I wanted to pursue a career where I could make a lasting, positive impact in their lives. After taking classes at the School of Education during my freshman year and having many wonderful teachers myself growing up, I felt both intellectually and personally compelled to pursue a career in education. Since then, I have developed a particular interest in working with students with exceptionalities. All the children I have gotten to know and work with throughout my undergraduate experience continually reinforce my passion for the field. I wholeheartedly believe that every child deserves to receive a quality education regardless of ability. This has inspired me to continue seeking ways to bridge gaps and support students both in the community at William & Mary and beyond.
What do you hope to be doing after graduation? In 10 or 15 years?
After graduating from William & Mary, I hope to complete a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (Special Education) and serve as a school-based behavior analyst.
Why did you choose William & Mary and specifically your degree program? What sets this degree program apart from those offered at other colleges?
As an out-of-state student, the community at William & Mary is particularly special, as I know I have formed relationships with classmates, friends and professors that will extend well beyond graduation. I have truly experienced a sense of belonging at this institution and within the School of Education as I am surrounded by so many passionate and dedicated individuals. As an undergraduate student, the opportunities to become involved in extracurricular endeavors, fieldwork and practicum experiences that directly complement my coursework are invaluable. These collective experiences have given me the chance to apply what I have learned in real-world settings and be able to have a meaningful impact on the lives of others firsthand. I also deeply value the faculty at William & Mary and have grown significantly with their support. The closeness, sense of community and countless practical experiences truly make the program at William & Mary unique.
What has been the most influential experience you've had so far in your program?
With support from Dr. Heartley Huber and a Charles Center Summer Research Grant, I led a small randomized control study to explore the effectiveness of a 10-week social skills training program for elementary-aged children with autism beginning in the Summer of 2024. Through this study, I partnered with One Child Center for Autism in Williamsburg to offer two social skills groups, allowing children with autism to socialize with their peers and learn valuable conversational skills. I feel especially proud that this study yielded statistically significant results and am even more honored to share my findings at two international conferences. Additionally, during the past two years, I have had the privilege of leading the Literacy Lab program as Student Coordinator. Literacy Lab focuses on equipping William & Mary students from various academic disciplines with the necessary skills to provide explicit, systematic and multi-sensory structured literacy instruction for struggling readers. It has been incredibly rewarding to see so many of my peers express interest in the program, ultimately enabling us to support over 350 students in four local elementary schools, a high school, a preschool and a subsidized housing complex. Both of these experiences have been incredibly influential, and I feel so fortunate to have had these opportunities during my time at W&M.
