Every semester we highlight one of our alumi who we believe encapsulate the opportunities available for English majors at the University of Findlay.  This semester we are proud to highlight Lindsey Festermaker, who is a 2006 alumni in the English/Teaching Emphasis Program.

Biography:
Lindsey Fenstermaker is in her second year of teaching at Shawnee High School in Lima. When she's not drinking her third cup of coffee for her early morning commute from Findlay to Lima, helping coach Quiz Bowl or exchanging student motivational ideas with her wonderful co-workers and carpool buddy, you can find her researching grad schools, going to the library with her husband and two-year old son, or looking for a place to build a house. She enjoys American and British literature (and just about any other type...but that's beside the point).  

Current work background:

As of right now, I am teaching General English 9 and 10 at Shawnee High School in Lima, Ohio. After Christmas break, I will be teaching English 11 as well.

How did you choose Findlay?

I grew up around Arcadia, so I have always known of The University of Findlay. I did not, however, know that I wanted to become an Oiler until I researched their education programs and started asking people that I knew about their own experiences. My mentor, Julie Sopher, was a Findlay alum and told me that I "HAD TO" check it out before I moved away (I was going to move to Dayton). When I realized all that Findlay offered and how much I liked their program, I cancelled my apartment lease in Dayton and signed one in Findlay. It was a decision I will never regret!

How did Findlay help you become who you are now?

Findlay has helped me grow as a person, a student, and a teacher by helping me foster my own educational and personal philosophies, offering a diverse curriculum, and by employing a dedicated and supportive faculty and staff. I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher, but I wasn't sure what grade levels I wanted to teach. Findlay helped me to solidify my decision to major in Adolescent/Young Adult Language Arts because their faculty and staff gave all that they could to develop and help students succeed. They worked around life, and helped in every way that they possibly could. Findlay's curriculum had many different class options, which helped me schedule time to work (and thus survive) during college. The professors were also very helpful. They helped me work ahead of time to avoid conflict when my husband and I had our first child. I don't know many people that could have been of more assistance at such a crazy yet rewarding time in life.

Any advice for future English majors?

At the University of Findlay, my best advice for any pending English majors out there is:
--First, to WORK AT THE WRITING CENTER! I can't tell you how beneficial that time has been now that I work with high schoolers every day. It was an awesome job with even more awesome opportunities.
--My second bit of advice is to WRITE MORE. Take all of the writing classes that you can while you're at the university. Yes, it will help you write, but it will also help you teach someone (or 160 +).
--Third, ASK QUESTIONS. The professors, specifically those in the English department, are wonderful resources with many ideas. They're there to help and are the best people for the job!
--Lastly, (a bit cliche) take it all in. Learn from every professor, from every lesson, from every activity, and every opportunity UF offers. This will help make the most of your time. As a teacher, so many times I will think back to a certain novel or short story that we discussed or worked with in my undergrad and wish I would have written something more down or truly reflected on my professors' teaching styles for those lessons.