Kate Poss’s decision to attend SUNY Brockport wasn’t decided because of a simple campus visit or the University’s proximity to home, it was her discussion with Associate Professor Cody Miller.
“I never encountered that level of engagement before. I immediately felt that this was the right place for me.”
Kate Poss
“We discussed the future of education, and his honesty and passion for teaching stood out to me,” Poss said. “I never encountered that level of engagement before. I immediately felt that this was the right place for me.”
Currently majoring in English Adolescence Education, Poss is completing her field placement at Royalton-Hartland High School in Middleport, NY. She has been working alongside Alix Gilman in a twelfth-grade English classroom.
“It’s been great to see the strategies I’m learning in my methods classes applied in real time—observing what works, what doesn’t, and how lessons can be adjusted.”
Kate Poss
“I really admire her teaching style. Learning from her has given me insight into different teaching environments and helped me understand how to build strong relationships with students,” Poss said. “It’s been great to see the strategies I’m learning in my methods classes applied in real time—observing what works, what doesn’t, and how lessons can be adjusted.”
Poss always envisioned herself teaching in a high school setting, but her first field placement at Gates Chili Middle School shifted her perspective. Now, she finds herself at a crossroads, torn between teaching in a middle or high school.
“The middle schoolers are just so funny and engaging. Both middle and high school offer such unique experiences,” Poss said. “In middle school, you’re helping students build foundational skills and guiding them as they begin to understand larger concepts. In high school, you can dive into deeper discussions about complex themes and literary connections. I still need to figure out where my niche is and where I’ll thrive as a teacher.”
One of the most valuable lessons Poss learned came from Lisa Dorofy, a sixth-grade English teacher at Gates Chili. Dorofy emphasized the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, working with teachers from other subjects to create a well-rounded curriculum.
“Lisa worked closely with teachers from other subjects, allowing students to explore the same themes from different perspectives,” Poss said. “This approach helps students develop a deeper understanding and better retain what they learn.”
Outside of her education courses, Poss recommends Brockport’s creative writing classes, especially Writer’s Craft, to students passionate about writing.
“For anyone interested in writing, publishing, or simply discovering new authors, I highly recommend Writer’s Craft,” Poss said. “It’s an engaging way to stay connected with the literary world and learn directly from successful modern-day writers.”
“Overall, I love the program here, and I’m so glad I chose Brockport.”
Kate Poss
Reflecting on her time in the English program, Poss has some advice for future English Adolescence Education majors.
“The workload can be intense at times, but it’s all incredibly rewarding,” Poss said. “My best advice is to dedicate time to your readings and fully engage in class discussions. The effort you put in now will shape who you become as a scholar and educator.”
The experiences, mentorship, and knowledge Poss gained has prepared her for the next steps as an educator.
“Overall, I love the program here, and I’m so glad I chose Brockport,” Poss said.