Mallory Langkau

Q: “Tell us about yourself.”

A: “I grew up in northern New Hampshire and graduated in 2010 from Groveton High School. I was a soccer and basketball athlete throughout my high school career. I still love playing sports today and even practice with my high school’s varsity teams as a volunteer. My other interests include history, travel, and art. I love to draw and paint. I also have an obsession with the musical, “Hamilton.” I traveled to NYC a couple of years ago to see it on Broadway! I have an older sister and a younger sister – stuck in the middle! My older sister is also a teacher. “

Q: “Please describe, briefly, your professional experience and current employment.”

A: “I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2017 with my Bachelor of Science in Education degree. I majored in social science secondary education and minored in history. I began teaching high school social studies in Wisconsin but moved back home to New Hampshire when I had the opportunity to replace my middle school social studies teacher who was retiring. It was a special opportunity to come home and teach where I went to school and even work alongside some of my teachers! That is where I currently teach, at Groveton High School in Groveton, New Hampshire.”

Q: “What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?”

A: “Pursuing my master’s degree is something I decided to do while I was sitting at the graduation for my bachelor’s degree! I just felt like I was not done. I have always been an achiever because it feels good to hit goals and then plan new ones. I knew that a master’s degree in my social studies content would make me a stronger teacher because it would train me to be a historian. I have loved taking what I learn as a historian and applying it in my role as an educator. It has made me a more effective teacher!”

Q: “Why did you choose Norwich?”

A: “Norwich has an amazing program for someone like me. I work full time as a teacher. I am busy! This online Master of Arts in History program offered me something flexible, but also rigorous. It carries the weight of the strong Norwich reputation. That stood out to me and made me more confident in my selection!”

Q: “How do you plan to use your degree in your career?”

A: “The skills and knowledge that I gained from this degree have already made me a more effective teacher. My education program for my undergrad degree was very focused on education courses. This program gave me much more exposure to content. I truly feel like a content expert now, which has made me more confident in my lessons and instruction. It also gave me the ability to properly research something that I would like to know more about!”

Q: “What has been your biggest personal or professional success since starting and/or completing your coursework and degree? How did Norwich help you achieve this goal?”

A: “The biggest success has been being selected as the 2020 James Madison Fellow for the state of New Hampshire! This national program will help me pay for my master’s degree and will send me to Washington D.C. for four weeks to attend their Summer Institute on the Constitution. I am thrilled! The application required several essays. I am thankful for the Norwich coursework because it drastically improved my writing. I felt confident in my writing for the application!”

Q: “Please tell us about a time in which you could put your knowledge gained in the classroom to work immediately at your job.”

A: “In the Spring of 2019, my middle school team brought the 8th-grade class on an overnight trip to Boston. I had just finished my course in American Colonial and Revolutionary History. It was an ideal time to be visiting the city that holds the reputation for being the ‘birthplace of the American Revolution.’ Throughout the trip, I was able to enhance the experience for my students by sharing information I had learned in my most recent course. I also thought to ask certain questions to the tour guide while we were on the Freedom Trail around the city.”