Aspiring Teacher and Keene State College Legacy

Kaleigh Slozak '27 is pursuing a double major in elementary education and mathematics, along with a minor in environmental studies. Teaching has been her lifelong aspiration — and Keene State College's nationally recognized education program is helping her get there.

Kaleigh's path to Keene State is a family tradition. Both of her parents are alumni, and her mother studied education here, making Kaleigh a proud legacy.

"My mom really loved it here. Hearing that they had such a good program got me to come to Keene State," she says. "Being placed in the schools so early on is really nice."

That early hands-on experience is a hallmark of the program. Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education since 1954, Keene State's education program exceeds both state and national standards — a distinction held by only one-third of teacher education programs across the country.

A Community of Future Educators

Beyond the classroom experience, Kaleigh values the sense of community the program fosters.

"I really like all the education classes — it makes a community of people who are all interested in teaching. They're always fun and engaging."

Two Generations of Learning

Kaleigh and her mom often reflect on their shared Keene State experience — especially the value of early classroom placement.

From sitting in her mom's classroom as a kid to building her own teaching philosophy at Keene State — Kaleigh Slozak '27 is proof that great teachers inspire the next generation.

"We talk a lot about her experience and mine. She was placed in a classroom really early on, and that was one of her major takeaways — that you really learn to teach by working with students. I'm getting that same experience, which is great."

The Keene State education program offers field placements in surrounding schools, where students work alongside supervising teachers who support their growth within the Keene State model of educator preparation.

Following in Her Mother's Footsteps

Community is a core value at Keene State College, and nowhere is that more evident than in the education program, where building meaningful relationships is central to the work.

Kaleigh carries her mother's passion for teaching into every classroom she enters — and that influence runs deep.

"I used to sit in my mom's classroom when I was sick from school, and seeing how she teaches has shaped the way I teach. She's someone who makes real connections with her students, and seeing that inspired me to realize I can do the same — that it's possible to become not just a teacher, but someone important in students' lives."

To learn more about the Keene State College Education Program, visit keene.edu/academics/education.