Major Insight Episode 38 Following a Passion for Teaching and Travel
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Teaching is almost a family tradition for Olivia Casey ‘22. As a Middle Childhood Education major, Olivia is preparing to teach math and social studies and she’s part of the Urban Cohort, where she collaborates with high-needs local schools. She is also all about studying abroad, and became passionate about traveling after visiting MUDEC, Miami’s campus in Luxembourg. On this episode, she also talks about the life-changing impact of experiencing new cultures, the joys of teaching, and how to overcome homesickness after moving away to college.
Featured Majors
- Middle Childhood Education
- TESOL Endorsement (Teaching English to speakers of other languages)
Featured Organizations or Internships
- Urban Cohort
- College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS) Ambassadors
- Miami Activity and Programming (MAP)
Faculty Shout Outs
- Jim Shiveley, professor of teacher education
- Molly Sawyer, director of clinical placements
- Tammy Schwartz, director of the Urban Cohort
Career Cluster
Read the transcript
Speaker 1:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the host and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Miami University.
Speaker 2:
I am going into my last semester of chemical engineering.
Speaker 3:
I'm a senior journalism major.
Speaker 4:
And I'm minoring in supply chain and operations management.
Speaker 5:
I'm a biochemistry major.
Speaker 6:
Classes are going great, extracurriculars are going great.
Speaker 7:
I'm an RA on campus.
Speaker 6:
I'm thriving.
Jason Meggyesy:
Hi. I'm Jason Meggysey, and this is Major Insight. This is the podcast where we talk college life with amazing students about how to find your place and purpose on campus.
For Olivia Casey, teaching is almost a family tradition … and she’s carrying on the legacy by majoring in Middle Childhood Education.
But is Olivia is not only interested in teaching math and social studies, she is also a member of the Urban Cohort, where she collaborates with high-need schools, and works with children, by grounding herself in the life of a local community.
Olivia is also all about studying abroad. And after visiting and teaching at Miami’s campus in Luxembourg, she discovered a passion for international travel and for experiencing new cultures.
Olivia, let's just start with this. Who are you?
Olivia Casey:
My name's Olivia Casey. I'm a senior from Cleveland. I'm in a couple things on campus. I'm in a sorority and I'm very passionate about studying abroad and traveling and I'm going to be a future teacher.
Jason Meggysey:
Majors? Minors? All of these things?
Olivia Casey:
So I'll be Middle Childhood. And my concentrations are social studies and math, and then I'm also involved in the urban cohort. So, we do social justice work in Over-the-Rhine, in Lower Price Hill, in Cincinnati. And I'm the advisor of Education, Health, and Society Ambassadors.
Jason Meggysey:
So, how's it feel to be at the end of this journey, getting ready to move on to the next phase?
Olivia Casey:
I know. I've talked to a lot of people about graduating, and the friends that I know that are post-grad, and how they're feeling, but I don't know. It's sad because I live with eight girls in my house. See them every day and everyone's around you. It hasn't hit me.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah. So, before we got on here, you had mentioned something about your grandparents being teachers.
Olivia Casey:
Yeah.
Jason Meggysey:
Talk to me a little bit about that, and how that influenced you growing up.
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. My grandma and my grandpa were both teachers, and my grandma is just my go-to person. I love her to death. She just turned 80 this year. So, she was a kindergarten teacher and she's worked for 25 years as a kindergarten teacher and now she still substitutes as an 80 year old. And she just does it because she enjoys it. And my grandpa, he worked at a high school. They've just inspired me based off their life together, the family that they've created, the individuals they are. It's a fulfilling career.
Jason Meggysey:
Was there any part of you, growing up, that showed signs of being a teacher? Or was it more like when you've reached this age of deciding what you wanted to do for your career? You were, "Okay, these are where my passions align."
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. So in high school, my sophomore year, I started helping out with soccer. So, I played soccer all through high school. I've played it since I was in second grade, and I worked with soccer. After our varsity practice, I'd stay and there'd be the travel kids. So, I've worked with them, was a camp counselor for a summer. But I don't know, just working with kids and seeing them understand things or the teamwork of it too, I really enjoyed.
Olivia Casey:
And just collaborating in different settings. I've thought a lot about what do I want to do every day for the rest of my life? Do I want to be sitting in an office doing some type of job or do I want to be every day's a new day? You can be very creative, new class, new kids, you'll be impacting a lot of kids.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah.
Olivia Casey:
So, that's what I wanted to do.
Jason Meggysey:
And what about... Because you said your Middle Childhood, right? So what does that entail?
Olivia Casey:
So, it'd be from fourth to ninth grade, which is middle school.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah.
Olivia Casey:
So, people think I'm crazy because middle schoolers, they're going through mid-adolescent or going through a lot of changes. But I think with my history, my experience in middle school, my parents got divorced in sixth grade.
However, there's those teachers that have helped me through that and they were there for me. Got me to where I wanted to be, going into high school. So, that's what I want to be for those middle schoolers that are going through all those changes.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah. Gotcha. So now, to get back on your timeline to here, senior year high school, what are your thoughts going into the college search experience and then ultimately, why was Miami the place that you wanted to spend four years?
Olivia Casey:
Going into colleges, I knew I was going to stay in States. So, Miami was not even on my radar. I really was like "Ohio state till I die," Buckeye fan. Because my whole family went there, my mom went there. But Miami, their education program, their scholarship and then the study abroad was huge for me, because I knew I wanted to study abroad in college and Miami was the place and I just fell in love with camp like everyone does. Yeah.
Jason Meggysey:
And then coming in freshman year, what was the biggest shock to you? What was the biggest adjustment you think you had to make coming in on campus?
Olivia Casey:
I did feel homesick. I was four hours away. I'm not out of state, but I did feel homesick and I would FaceTime my mom once a day. And I was like, "How will I ever get over this?" And now you're a senior and you're like, "Oh wait, this is the life."
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah.
Olivia Casey:
Oh my gosh.
Jason Meggysey:
No, I completely feel that. Because I felt a little bit of isolation coming in freshman year. Because it's this big, wide, new world that you don't know. No one gives you a playbook on like, "Okay, this is how you get through college."
Jason Meggysey:
So you just got to feel your way around. So on the flip side of that, what was something that was surprising to you that you were like, "Oh, I thought I might struggle with that," but in actuality it just came naturally to you?
Olivia Casey:
Yeah, the getting involved. I've always tried to get involved with wherever I am. So getting involved in Miami, it was an easy transition. Going to the Mega Fair and meeting people through those organizations I got involved in. That was an easy transition for me, that I was a little worried about. But it was a success, I would say, my freshman year.
Jason Meggysey:
So, what were those organizations that you started off with?
Olivia Casey:
I joined Miami Activity and Programming, MAP. And we do late night events and then other events on campus and they're free to students. And then I was in EHS Ambassadors. So it's our college's ambassador program. And then I joined a sorority, but those are my top three. And I also got a job on campus. So, I was a lifeguard at the RAC.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah. And then what about those organizations? What made those stick out compared to the other ones? You were like, "Okay, I need or I would like to be a part of this group, instead of this group."
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. I knew, with my major as education, I wanted to get involved in an organization that would help me network, help me meet new people in my major. And that was EHS Ambassadors. And then MAP, I love planning and everyone that's in the organization is all for...
Everyone wants to do everything and have a good time. And college is a fun experience. So everyone was happy and positive and energetic. So, surrounding myself around those type of people was also crucial for my success in freshman year.
Jason Meggysey:
Now, this is the part that I really am curious about. Three different study abroad trips, right?
Olivia Casey:
Yes.
Jason Meggysey:
Is that true? Talk to me about, first, what drew you to study abroad initially?
Olivia Casey:
Mm-hmm (affirmative) I love learning about new cultures, new languages, meeting new people. So those three things, just studying abroad, is how I'm going to get that. How I'm going to achieve those goals of what I want to experience in college. So, the first time I went over was spring 2020. So, I was there a month and a half.
Jason Meggysey:
Where at?
Olivia Casey:
I was in Luxembourg.
Jason Meggysey:
Okay.
Olivia Casey:
So, MUDEC our main campus. And I was involved in MUDEC, Miami University in Lux, but then I also was in the international school and was there for three hours a week. I went twice. So I met those students and made some connections at the international school.
And then I also was at the social pantry, which is like, think of the US food pantries. So, I was involved in that and I was meeting and hearing about all these stories of immigrants and refugees that came to Luxembourg from other parts of the world like the Middle East.
Majority of the people came from the Middle East and it just opened up my perspective to, I'm from the US but there's an entire world out there. And a lot of times I feel like people from the US can be, not closed minded to the world, but we just don't know what's out there, we have everything here. But that first experience just led me to all these different pathways of what I wanted to do next.
Jason Meggysey:
So, I think the craziest thing about three different trips is that for most people, the average students, they're cool with one trip because they're like, "Oh, I don't want to miss out on what's going on here."
Olivia Casey:
FOMO.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah. Did that ever cross your mind or how did you cope with that?
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. That's probably one of the big... When people choose to go abroad, it's fear of missing out on big events that are happening on campus and with your friends. But for me, I knew I wanted to do this going in. So, I've always had it in the back of my mind. Like, yes, spring 2020 I'm going to miss recruitment. I'm going to miss my classes, the people that I'm with in my education courses, which I had a great connection there with everyone.
But, this is my time to now study abroad and experience all these things that I've wanted to experience going into school, going to Miami.
Jason Meggysey:
Okay, cool. So, the first spot was Luxembourg?
Olivia Casey:
So, all three of my study abroad programs were all based in Luxembourg.
Jason Meggysey:
Okay.
Olivia Casey:
Which yes, is like, "Why do you want to go back to Luxembourg so many times?"
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah.
Olivia Casey:
But it's like my home base. So your home base is Luxembourg, your host family, that's where all your stuff is, but you go every weekend, somewhere else. And that's in the central location of Luxembourg, it's right in the middle. Borders Belgium, Germany, and France. You can go so many places in less than two hours, on train.
Jason Meggysey:
Okay. What was your favorite spot to go to then, while you were there?
Olivia Casey:
I say I have three favorite cities and they all start with the letter B. Barcelona, Berlin, Germany and Budapest.
Jason Meggysey:
Which of the three trips do you think had the most impact on you? Because obviously, you maybe going to the same places when you go on these three trips. But obviously, not everyone is going to be the same. Is that correct?
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. The first trip definitely opened my eyes to things but put me out of my comfort zone. Culture shock to the max. And I felt it, but it was an uncomfortable feeling. But then as I eased into a routine, a schedule, exploring every weekend.
I'm like, "Oh, I can do this. This is fun." Second trip was a summer month in Europe and definitely, it changed the way I looked at things and the people that I've met in some cities. I could care less about the city, it's the people that I meet there.
And then this last trip I would say was the most impactful for me because I was there two and a half months. While I was also traveling, I was doing something I'm passionate about, which is teaching. So I was at the international school and the connections I've made with the host teacher and the students is an experience I'll never forget. Monday through Friday, I was out of school, International School.
My class had 18 students and they were all from some different background. There was German, French, Lithuanian, Romanian, Italian, Indian, the list goes on and on, of all the different students in my class.
They came to the classroom, spoke English, go home and speak their first language with their parents. And then on the weekends I would be traveling to new cities. So, I was doing what I loved and then I was also doing what I loved on the weekends.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah. That's crazy. Oh my gosh, that's crazy. I'm envious a little bit. That sounds amazing.
Olivia Casey:
That was a good time.
Jason Meggysey:
So, I know there were some teachers that were pretty integral in that process of you going abroad. Can you just speak on them, give them a couple shouts?
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. I would say Dr. Jim Sheively he is retired now. But he is the reason why I studied abroad in the first place. So he is the OG. That man is the best. He's the one that made these connections with the schools abroad.
So, with these international schools, it's not like Miami just came in and was like, "Hey, we're going to give you student teachers." He built those connections and the relationships and I'm very grateful for all of his work, in the past 10 years he's been doing it.
Molly Sawyer. She's our coordinator. She came over with us and her heart is as big as this. She cared for us every step of the way, she was there for us, the email updates. The, "Oh, I hope you guys are doing okay. Let's meet, let's chat. I want to hear about your experiences." She was great. Sarah Barlow was my teacher abroad. She was my host teacher. She also was integral part of it.
Jason Meggysey:
So obviously, the student teaching in Luxembourg probably had an impact on what you're planning on doing after school, correct? Which is teaching in Thailand, is that right?
Olivia Casey:
Yes, that is the plan right now.
Jason Meggysey:
Okay. How did that come about?
Olivia Casey:
So, after my three trips to Europe, and then I've been to Europe one other the time before that. I feel like I've seen what I've wanted to see and I've traveled, I've done the solo trips, the backpacking. So now, it's time for a new continent and I picked Asia.
Jason Meggysey:
Gotcha. Everything you've been saying, all this stuff sounds extravagant and amazing, and I'm sure it is.
Olivia Casey:
Yeah.
Jason Meggysey:
But the thing that I think is important to understand is, you are a special person and you're doing great things but anybody can do what you're doing, right? Would you say?
Olivia Casey:
Yeah, I would say if you're interested in traveling, you just got to do it. And I think a lot of times it's scary to go somewhere. It's unknown, the fear of the unknown.
Jason Meggysey:
So now, coming back home, talk to me, you said you're part of the urban cohort and then also a social sorority. Just talk to me about how those two pieces have worked to shape this experience you've had.
Olivia Casey:
So the urban cohort has helped me, as well as the experience abroad, opened my eyes to new cultures and things like that. The urban cohort has more helped me on opening my eyes to challenges individuals face.
It is a cohort where we come together and we talk about social justice issues. We read social justice books, theories, and then we take what we learn and we go to Over-The-Rhine and Lower Price Hill, those areas in Cincinnati.
And we work with the youth. So we do a lot of youth work and we'll go to a school. Every Friday in my sophomore year, we went to Lower Price Hill and worked with a group of young girls at a middle school.
And we talked about issues that they were experiencing in their school, came up with a solution, a plan, how to execute. So, we work with the individuals that live in Over-The-Rhine, which is a gentrified area of Cincinnati.
And Dr. Tammy Schwartz, she leads the program and she is just the most passionate woman I've ever met about issues within Cincinnati and just our world.
Jason Meggysey:
In what ways have you seen yourself grow through these four years, in both personal and professional lives?
Olivia Casey:
Jason, these are huge questions here. You're really thrown.
Jason Meggysey:
That's what I'm here for. I want you to think. I want you to think a little bit.
Olivia Casey:
Okay. Graduating in the spring, thinking about walking across stage. My four years, I ask myself this question a lot. Am I experiencing the max out of college? I think we all ask ourselves that. And I would say, yes, my profession.
I have student taught, I have done all my classes, a decent GPA where I'm like, "Yes, I feel like I've learned a lot." And I've made connections with kids over the four years. So, my major-wise and profession, I think I'm ready.
I'm ready to go into a classroom, have a class. Personally, the relationships that I've made here will definitely last a lifetime. The girls that I've met, the people that I've met and the studying abroad has definitely changed how I see the world and how I want post-grad to be like. But no, I've definitely changed in a better way. Came out with new perspectives, new goals for me. Yes, it's sad saying goodbye, but I think I'm ready.
Jason Meggysey:
Yeah. That's exactly how I feel. When I came in, you have this idea of what you think college is going to be or what you want it to be. And then in some aspects, it is that. It meets those expectations. But then other aspects, it either breaks them down or it creates new ones and things like that.
Jason Meggysey:
And I think that's the most exciting thing about this next chapter. It's like, "Okay, now that I know that this is how this four years is going to go," which is like life JV, if you want to put it that way. So much more can happen after you walk across that stage too.
Olivia Casey:
Yeah.
Jason Meggysey:
So last question I got for you, advice for your freshman self.
Olivia Casey:
It's going to sound cliché, but what I've said at the beginning, taking one day at a time. I would say my freshman year, every day being homesick. But taking one day at a time is huge.
Jason Meggysey:
Keep pushing through one day at a time.
Olivia Casey:
Yeah.
Jason Meggysey:
Nice, short and sweet.
Olivia Casey:
Yeah. Short and sweet.
Jason Meggysey:
Cool. Olivia, I appreciate you for taking the time to talk with me. After you walk across that stage, you're going to kill it.
Olivia Casey:
Thank you so much.
Jason Meggysey:
I wish you the best of luck.
Olivia Casey is a Middle Childhood Education at Miami University. After graduation she plans to teach English in Thailand.
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