By Zully Sosa
Elissa on her graduation day for Liberty University Elissa Beard graduated from the MICC College Program in 2016 and recently celebrated another graduation, receiving her associate degree in Early Childhood Development at Liberty University. She was able to hop onto Zoom for a quick call reflecting on how MICC helped put her on the path she’s on today and what she’s looking forward to in the future.
Elissa’s passion and success in her Early Childhood Development career find their roots in her time at MICC when she began working at a preschool. “I started volunteering my time when I was a part of MICC,” she explains, “and then they hired me two years later and I had fell in love with the job.” Knowing that a degree is required to work with young children, Elissa knew that her years at MICC were to prepare her for pursuing her associate degree one day. MICC prepared her to succeed at Liberty by strengthening her time management and organizational skills which Elissa claims was most important when balancing her classes and work schedule.
The experience was immediately different as she wasn’t as active on campus, “I was working at the preschool Wooddale Academy at the time while doing my school online. So, I took one class at a time.” Like many participants in the College program, Elissa lived in the on-campus apartments for all three years at MICC. She mentioned that her apartment mentor, Julia Smith, was a significant support for her throughout her journey, saying, “She was my mentor for all three years. She encouraged me spiritually; she had this great spirit in her that I admire in her.”
Elissa’s passion and success in her Early Childhood Development career find their roots in her time at MICC when she began working at a preschool. “I started volunteering my time when I was a part of MICC,” she explains, “and then they hired me two years later and I had fell in love with the job.” Knowing that a degree is required to work with young children, Elissa knew that her years at MICC were to prepare her for pursuing her associate degree one day. MICC prepared her to succeed at Liberty by strengthening her time management and organizational skills which Elissa claims was most important when balancing her classes and work schedule.
The experience was immediately different as she wasn’t as active on campus, “I was working at the preschool Wooddale Academy at the time while doing my school online. So, I took one class at a time.” Like many participants in the College program, Elissa lived in the on-campus apartments for all three years at MICC. She mentioned that her apartment mentor, Julia Smith, was a significant support for her throughout her journey, saying, “She was my mentor for all three years. She encouraged me spiritually; she had this great spirit in her that I admire in her.”
Elissa and family on her graduation day for Liberty University.
Though difficult at first, Elissa used her faith and positivity as motivation, stating “It was my ultimate goal to get this degree. I felt like the Lord wanted me to use the gifts that I had to be a blessing towards other people.” For other students at MICC considering pursuing additional education, Elissa’s biggest piece of advice is to keep an optimistic outlook. “Follow your heart and never give up in life because you don’t know if you’re capable of doing this.” she urges. “If you say you can do it, you can do it but if you say ‘Oh I can’t do it’ well then you're not going to reach what you want to do in life.” Taking her advice, from just one conversation, it is evident when talking to the recent graduate that her positive attitude has gotten her exactly where she wants to be.
Passionate about working with children and excited about the opportunities her journey with MICC and Liberty University have prepared her for, Elissa is ready for the next steps in life. Currently, she works at Wooddale Academy in Eden Prairie with students aged 3-4 and enjoys helping with art projects the most. When considering what the future has in store for her, Elissa shares that she thinks, “What's next for me is to be an assistant teacher along with doing mission work too. I think God has really nudged my spirit to go to do mission work too.” She would like to thank her friends Bang Schneider, Erin Manoles, Courtney, Ashley, Jeremy, Elizabeth, and all her coworkers at Wooddale Academy for their support now and moving forward. Everyone at MICC is very proud of Elissa’s accomplishments and wishes her the best of luck moving forward. Congratulations Elissa!
Passionate about working with children and excited about the opportunities her journey with MICC and Liberty University have prepared her for, Elissa is ready for the next steps in life. Currently, she works at Wooddale Academy in Eden Prairie with students aged 3-4 and enjoys helping with art projects the most. When considering what the future has in store for her, Elissa shares that she thinks, “What's next for me is to be an assistant teacher along with doing mission work too. I think God has really nudged my spirit to go to do mission work too.” She would like to thank her friends Bang Schneider, Erin Manoles, Courtney, Ashley, Jeremy, Elizabeth, and all her coworkers at Wooddale Academy for their support now and moving forward. Everyone at MICC is very proud of Elissa’s accomplishments and wishes her the best of luck moving forward. Congratulations Elissa!
For media inquiries please contact Katherine Sjeklocha at ksjeklocha@miccommunity.org.
Minnesota Independence College & Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.
Minnesota Independence College & Community is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vocational and life skills training program for young adults with learning differences and autism spectrum disorders. Since our founding in 1996, MICC has remained dedicated to helping our students make successful transitions towards independent living and self sufficiency. MICC is proud to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.
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