teacher

Mentor Moment with Instructor Angela Kunz.

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Angela Kunz surrounded by a fashion class

     On a warm and sunny autumn afternoon, I had a candid conversation with Fashion Design Adjunct Instructor Angela Kunz (or Mrs. K as she prefers to be called by students) on SUNY Ulster’s beautiful campus. We discussed what advice she has for students entering the field of fashion merchandising, design, and the evolving work force as a whole.

Follow SUNY Ulsters Fashion Department on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SUNYUlsterFashionDesign/
Follow SUNY Ulster Fashion Club on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FDCSUNYUlster/

“What led you to a career in fashion instruction?”

“After studying fashion at Pratt Institute in Lower Manhattan I began working in the fashion industry in the 1990’s.”

After living in New York City and achieving what she thought was her ‘dream’- the success of celebrities and the members of popular television shows wearing her designs, Mrs. K felt herself dealing more with the business side of the industry and less with the creativity side that she loved. “I began feeling completely drained and unfulfilled – that’s when I moved up to the Hudson Valley and began to ask myself “How can I keep fashion in my life without being directly involved in it?””

A few years after moving to and working in the Hudson Valley an adjunct position in the Marist College Fashion Department opened up and as Mrs. K put it  “-it was a manifestation of working adjacent to the fashion industry and with students!”

“Would you change anything about how you got to where you are?”

Mrs. K quickly responded “No!-everything happened in a perfect transition right where I wanted to live and work-It’s all about finding the balance.”  

 “What would be your top advice to someone thinking of entering the fashion industry?”

  “Be willing to fail, and do not settle! Look at your options and find a way to keep your truest dreams alive, and always aspire to reach your full potential.”  

 “4 words you would use to describe a leader in your field?”

 Mrs. K paused and after a moment she said “Innovative, passionate, and simultaneously endlessly motivated about the field, and finally someone who is dedicated.”   

Mentor Moments highlights the mentors that help to make our college great!
Have a mentor you want to feature? Email Terriann at (smitht36@my.sunyulster.edu)

Considering Becoming a Teacher? Now is a Great Time to Start.

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Child pointing at board while teacher looks on

If you’ve ever considered majoring in childhood or adolescent education, now is an excellent time to enter the field. There is a great need right now for teachers, as many public schools, both locally and nationwide, are experiencing a shortage of qualified teachers. This is because many longtime teachers are of retirement age and fewer college students are pursuing teaching degrees. The New York Board of Regents is even planning to lower the passing score on the edTPA, a test potential New York teachers must pass to get a teaching certificate. While there are increasingly fewer teachers, this shortage is causing some districts to increase classroom sizes, which lessens the individual attention some students may need to grasp classroom material.

Math, special education, and science teachers are commonly reported as being needed most, but humanities, including English and foreign languages, are also understaffed. New York is among those particularly in need of math, science, and foreign language teachers. On a brighter note, New York teachers are some of the best paid in the nation, and potential teachers planning to stay in-state can make a good living as well as have fulfilling careers.

Teaching careers can be rewarding. Teachers have the opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives by introducing them to new ideas and information that helps them throughout their lives. Teaching is often considered a great way to give back to the local community, due to helping students in the moment and ultimately being an investment in the students’ and area’s future. While traditional students are typically thought of for these types of degrees, teaching can also be a great option for adult students, particularly parents who know how to work with children already and can enjoy having summers free to be with their own children.

If teaching seems like a good fit for you, you can explore your options affordably here at SUNY Ulster. We offer four education degree pathways: Math and Science B-6 and 7-12 and Humanities & Social Science B-6 and 7-12. Each of these degree programs are specialized for what students would like to teach one day, such as Earth Science, English, Math, and History, as well as an option to seamlessly transfer into SUNY New Paltz.