13 January - Introduction and About Me

My name is Elise Van Wagoner.  I'm a junior at Utah Valley University and majoring in Elementary Education.  I'm hoping to find time to minor in music and dance.  I've been singing since I was one year old.  It's my outlet for any emotion and I've always loved music.  I danced when I was younger and again in high school with drill and cheerleading. I love art, as well.  Another love I've always had is working with younger children.  I'm the oldest of five children, which served to an advantage in my career choice.  Even at age seven, I would play school with my brothers and sisters as my students.  I started a dance and cheer class at an elementary school in my home town this past spring and summer.  I loved teaching the elementary age dancers! That helped me make a final career choice and move forward with it.

I graduated from Bountiful High School and attended UVU my freshman year of college.  It was hard at first because my Dad, being my greatest education model, went to BYU and I always thought I would do the same.  When I didn't get in, I was a little lost because I had always planned on going to BYU, and being somewhat indecisive, it was hard to decide what to do next. I tried to keep moving forward and decided to still go to school near Provo.  I was taking a voice class at the time, and after discussing it over with my teacher, I decided Utah State University was where I wanted to pursue a Vocal Performance major.  I went to Utah State and began my vocal education when I decided I might need to pursue a more practical career if I needed to support my self and a future family.  I then started to aim for a business major, but it still didn't feel right.  I moved home for a semester to work and think it over, then I started the dance and cheer class where I worked with the elementary children.  I decided that was what I wanted to do! Now I'm back at UVU and pursuing this wonderful major which I am so excited to go forward with!  I hope to become an elementary teacher and work in Bountiful.  I want to be the kind of teacher that helps everyone feel included.  I want them to learn to treat others the way they would want to be treated. I guess you could say my goal is to be a life-lesson teacher, along with the curriculum!