Heidi Stermer M.Ed. ?21

Heidi Stermer

Class Year

M.Ed. ’21

Current home

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Major(s)

Master of Education

Current Position

7th Grade Science Teacher at Racine Unified School District — Academies of Racine at Mitchell

As a science teacher for the Racine Unified School District, Heidi Stermer M.Ed. ’21 provides instruction and guidance to help students explore and understand important concepts in science, including problem-solving and how to gather evidence to support ideas or decisions. Recently, she was given the opportunity to run her school’s STEM program and to coach the girl’s and boy’s volleyball and basketball teams. 

“Carthage has provided me with the expertise necessary to excel at being a middle school teacher.”

Heidi Stermer, M.Ed. ’21

What have you enjoyed most about your career?

“I love to teach, but I also love to learn — and teaching offers lots of opportunities for learning. Whether it’s researching a topic related to student interests or exploring new ideas for how to teach something, I get to explore new ideas a lot. Teaching middle school can be really rewarding. It’s satisfying to see my students progress both academically and non-academically as rounded people and future citizens.”

How did Carthage prepare you?

“Carthage helped me build the skills and qualities a person needs to learn, think, and create on their own.”

How has your liberal arts education benefitted you?

“As a middle school teacher, I have to be able to think quickly when incidents occur at school. I have to be able to handle different types of situations fairly and equally, taking into consideration of each of my students and their culture. I am constantly coming up with lessons that will engage my students in different ways since everyone doesn’t learn the same way. My liberal arts education helped me hone these skills.”

Why did you choose Carthage?

“I was looking for someplace local that had more to offer. I was able to attend Carthage to receive not only my secondary-education license, but my Master of Education as well.”

What Carthage professors played a part in your success and how?

“I believe all my professors played a part in my success as they each had something different to share and teach me.”

What role have the values in Carthage's mission, "Seeking Truth, Building Strength, Inspiring Service — Together" played in your life?

“Seeking truth, building strength, and inspiring service helped drive my personality, goal-setting, and how I take action in life. These values also give me a better understanding of who I am. They lead me to set goals that work towards my dreams instead of against them.”


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