Alumni Spotlight Anna Penland '17

Thanks to shadowing in kindergarten teacher, Traci Waite’s, classroom the entirety of her senior year, Anna decided to pursue Early Childhood Education. Along with volunteering weekly at early education programs as a reading tutor, Anna has helped with the inaugural class of the EAGLES program at Auburn. EAGLES allows students with special needs to attend classes, live on campus, practice social skills, manage having a job, and learn how to be independent. She is also a College of Education Student Ambassador, church nursery volunteer, member of the International Buddies club, preschool volunteer, and a retirement home volunteer. She has worked on various student government campaigns, and sits on the philanthropy board of her sorority. Most recently, she traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to improve her leadership skills further and step outside her comfort zone with lots of adventure. She enjoys Toomer’s lemonade and continues to cheer loudly at football games!

Student Advice: "In anything you do, don't overwhelm yourself by agreeing to do too much. I've learned the hard way that it's better to have a few things that spark your interest, and where you can make a difference, than to spread yourself thin building a resume."
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