Getting to Know You: Riley Fidler
Riley Fidler – Elementary Education
Year in school: Junior
Why are you studying Elementary Education? What do you hope to do with it after you graduate?
I decided to study Elementary Education because I remember the impact my teachers made on me when I was younger, and I want to have the opportunity to make the same kind of impact. My main goal is to be able to encourage students to believe in themselves, so that they can reach their own goals and become the best possible version of themselves. After graduation, I plan on working towards a master’s degree and starting my career as a teacher!
Why did you choose WSU?
I originally chose WSU for athletics, and the opportunity to swim on WSU’s pac 12 women’s swim team (I swam on the team my freshman year). However, I knew WSU had a lot more to offer other than sports or academics. I chose to come to WSU because of the positive community culture that makes the campus and the people here feel like home and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
What’s been your favorite part of the WSU experience thus far?
Being a part of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority has by far been my favorite experience here at WSU. The girls I have met are some of the most kind and genuine friends I have ever made, and I could not be more lucky. This year, I am serving as my chapter’s wellness chair because advocating for women’s mental health is something that is so important to me. I love the chapter, and I am so excited for what’s to come!
What’s been the biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge I have faced in college so far has been learning how to take a leap of faith, and step out of my comfort zone. It took me a while to learn that changing and trying new things in college to create a life that you love is an amazing thing. I am still living and learning everyday, but being at WSU has definitely taught me some very valuable life lessons that have make me into the person I am today.
As a college, we’re starting to focus more on our people being agents of change. What makes you an agent of change?
As a future educator, and someone who has recently learned about the importance of change, I can confidently say that the future of education is bright. Something that I have noticed is that learning is so much more intentional and purposeful than it used to be, and it has changed immensely since I was in elementary school. I am going to continue striving to better myself as an educator by putting students and my classroom culture first. I think there is so much potential in this world in education, as well as in many other aspects of the world. I have realized it takes wanting to make a change and acting on it to improve the way things are done.
Favorites
Food: pickles
Restaurant in Pullman: Thai Ginger
Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Band: The Lumineers
Favorite song: Sleep on the Floor by the Lumineers
Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap
TV Show: One Tree Hill
Coug Sport: swimming
Hobby: hiking, camping and climbing
Vacation spot: Hawaii
Dream vacation spot: Buenos Aires, Argentina