Alex Zaccardelli
B.A.Ed. - Elementary Education
Education
- 2026, William & Mary, B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education
What kind of educational and professional experiences did you have prior to beginning this degree?
Before coming to William & Mary, I had very little experience teaching. I volunteered for a year at a Boys & Girls Club and knew I wanted to be a teacher. But outside of that little taste of extracurricular education, I came into the School of Education with much more passion than knowledge or experience.
Why did you choose this field, and what motivates you in this work?
Honestly, when I graduated high school, I had no plans to go to college at all. I spent two years throwing spaghetti at the wall trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. But one day, out of pure dumb luck, I was peer-pressured into teaching robotics to elementary students at the Boys & Girls Club. A year later, I was hooked and couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling use of my time and energy than teaching children.
What do you hope to be doing after graduation? In 10 or 15 years?
Teaching, teaching and still teaching!
Why did you choose William & Mary and specifically your degree program? What sets this degree program apart from those offered at other colleges?
Ask any education major the one thing they wish they had more of, and I can guarantee you nine times out of ten, they’ll say “more hands-on experience.” That’s exactly what you’ll get at William & Mary. There are countless opportunities inside and outside of the degree program to work in schools with students. Over the past two years, I’ve spent an average of 15 hours per week volunteering, working and observing in Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) public schools in roles including literacy lab tutor, ALL-IN tutor, substitute teacher, and pre-service teacher.
What has been the most influential experience you've had so far in your program?
In the Fall 2024 semester, I started working with my cooperating teacher at a WJCC elementary school to practice the methods I was learning in our literacy methodology course. Now in the Spring 2025 semester, I’m continuing to work with the same cooperating teacher to hone my skills and absorb all of her years of experience. I can’t overstate how valuable your relationship is with your cooperating teacher in observing the craft, getting planning guidance, delivering the lesson and then getting immediate feedback.
Is there any additional information you would want a prospective student to know about the School of Education and its degree programs?
Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. Ask around, and you’ll find a limitless number of opportunities to learn about all aspects of education from research to policy to administration to practice.
