By The Keystone Newspaper Burns’s new role as community assistant reinforces skills for her future as an educator
By Emma Osborne
Mallory Burns, a sophomore secondary education major from Hagerstown, Md., loves to help people. She chose to major in Secondary English Education because her teachers had a huge impact on her in middle school and high school. From then on, she planned to help students in the way her teachers had helped her.
Photo Credit: Emma Osborne
She recently transitioned from a desk receptionist (DR) in Dixon Hall to a community assistant (CA) in Bonner Hall. She spoke about how her job is preparing her for her future career. Becoming a CA means that Burns has the opportunity to learn how to manage people, how to plan events, and how to keep people engaged. This is all a part of her goal to support her residents to the best of her abilities. She sees these skills as very valuable to her future as a teacher. Although her future students will be younger than the residents she helps now, it is still good practice.
“I’ve never been a CA before, so it was definitely new after being a DR for a while,” Burns said. “But because I worked with CAs already, I kind of already knew what my responsibilities were. I was able to develop an understanding faster than other people when they started CA-ing.”
Burns was overwhelmed at first, but she quickly got used to the new responsibilities. She was happy to be able to be there for people if anyone needed something and she loves the idea of planning events for her residents. The most important part of being in a position to help people is being approachable and open and Mallory emphasizes that quality in herself.
“I feel like it allows me to put myself out there because I’m a really energetic person. I feel like I’m able to talk to people,” Burns said. “Being really open as a teacher is important. So your students know that they can talk to you and come to you whenever you need anything.”
This openness is a valuable skill to Burns. However, she thinks her position prepares her for more than just the social aspects of teaching.
“You definitely want to be creative when picking up this job,” Burns said. “And definitely take deep breaths when you’re doing it because you deal with awful situations.”
She does her best to aid in every situation she is thrust into, but it is important to note that it can be stressful being in charge of dozens of people. This is a responsibility she is willing and ready to take on.
“Being a CA means getting creative,” Burns said. Her duties involve creating bulletin boards, making door decks for residents and planning events. She is excited to participate in these kinds of creative challenges in anticipation of decorating a classroom in the future.
“It’s like [the residents] are my practice students,” she said.
After only a few weeks as a CA, Burns feels she is beginning to thrive in her position. “I love talking to my residents. Seeing people happy to be listened to and helped feels so amazing,” she said.
Burns encourages anyone who enjoys working with others or anyone whose future career involves working with people to consider being a CA.
“It is a great opportunity. I am so grateful that I got this job. It’s seriously the best,” Burns said.