MA in Foreign Languages

Warsan Noor, 2014

What work are you doing now? 

I am currently teaching Spanish at an elementary school in Fairfax County. I teach K-5, in a science- based curriculum. 

What do you like about your career?

I enjoy working with kids and seeing their progress in language acquisition. Also, teaching is a profession that never has a dull moment. I am constantly changing lesson plans, differentiating, modeling, teaching, and re-teaching, if necessary, to meet students' diverse needs, and this has had a positive impact on my life outside of work. I became more accepting of change and capable of coping with challenges. Thanks to my job as a teacher, I've learned that there is more room for growth and improvement when we aren't afraid of change.

How did your degree prepare you for your career? 

My Spanish classes at George Mason University have made all the difference in forming my knowledge of not just the language, but also the culture of Spanish- speaking countries. Having taken a variety of graduate courses in visual culture, sociolinguistics, literature, and cinema, I felt well- prepared to teach K-12 Spanish, and to take the Praxis II in Spanish, which is a requirement for obtaining a teaching license in Virginia. My graduate program combined regular course work in Spanish with some classes in education. That was particularly beneficial. 

What advice would you give current students about developing their careers?

Whatever career you decide to pursue, give it your all. Also, networking with fellow alumni and classmates is key to landing a rewarding career. Do your own research and know ahead of time if your chosen career has other requirements (license, internship, etc.) in addition to the degree you're pursuing. If you have the opportunity to shadow someone, please do it! Give it your all and you will reap the rewards.