Teacher Appreciation Week: Q&A with alumna Michelle Mitri

When a Buffalo State undergraduate course placed her at Lafayette High School, Michelle Mitri, ’20, ’23, was able to fully appreciate the impact of English as a New Language (ENL). The experience inspired her to continue her education at Buffalo State with a master’s degree in childhood curriculum and instruction and a master’s degree certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

Today, Mitri makes a daily difference as an ENL teacher at Maryvale Middle School. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, she graciously gave us a few moments of her time to answer questions about her Buffalo State experience and outlook on teaching.

When and how did you know that education was the right fit for you?
When I was in middle and high school, I really grasped onto a lot of my English teachers. They were kind of a saving grace. I realized that was a great position to have and I wanted to be that for kids in the future.

How and why did you choose Buffalo State?
I went to a college fair in downtown and met someone from Buff State who really talked up the teaching program. They talked about how the class sizes—as you went further in the program—got smaller, and how you got to do outside placements and go to schools.I thought that was super interesting, and everyone that I met who had gone to Buffalo State loved it and had successful teaching careers, so I knew I wanted to do that too.

How did Buffalo State support you on your path to becoming a teacher?
Buff State was great with getting me immediately out into the field. They set me up with schools that I never would have known about, showed me different demographics and age groups, and really helped me find a place where I felt like I was going to fit. Not only that, but they gave me classes that I didn't even know existed. One class sent my classmates and me to Lafayette High School, which allowed us to work with students who were just learning the English language. It showed me what ENL [English as a New Language] really was. I watched the kids try so hard; they were so interested in school, and they loved learning no matter what I gave them. And that was something that I really wanted to be part of.

What lesson from Buffalo State has stayed with you?
Relationships should come first. A lot of my professors here said, “Kids might not want to learn from you if you don't build that relationship,” and that’s so true. I work with kids that don't speak English, and I'm still able to get them to really cooperate. We’ve formed such great bonds with each other simply because I really wanted to get to know them and I wanted them to get to know me not only as a teacher, but as a person. I think that it creates a classroom environment that's safe and welcoming, and that's all I've ever wanted to do.

What advice do you have for new teachers?
Give yourself grace. Education is constantly evolving, and it's okay to take a step back and realize that you don't have to have everything figured out immediately. You can try again tomorrow or later in the day. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. It’s okay to take a breather. 

Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.