Fulbright sending Chicoine to Thailand
Teaching full-time in Iowa City for an entire block gave Madison Chicoine ’16 experience working with English language learners. Now, she’s ready to take that experience to Thailand, where she will teach English through the Fulbright program.
While at Cornell, Chicoine found a role model in Assitant Professor of Education Meg Jacobs, as someone who is changing the world by being committed to her career as an educator, her children, and to volunteering her time, while still being relatable.
Chicoine’s elementary education major is bolstered by an art endorsement, and by her experience playing in the Cornell College orchestra, wind ensemble, and a steel drum ensemble. She also participated in the art interest group and in an Alternative Spring Break.
Driven by her interests in international travel and improving her teaching abilities, and by her desire to spread kindness, Chicoine hopes to take what she learns in Thailand to improve teaching in multicultural classrooms in the United States.
Q: Why did you apply to the Fulbright Program?
A: I was initially interested in the Fulbright because my older sister is a traveler and inspired me to want to see more of the world. I thought that the Fulbright would be a perfect fit for me because I am an elementary education major, and, during my time student teaching in the Iowa City School District I had many students whose first language was not English. I hope to return to the states to apply what I learn in Thailand in ways that help improve how we teach in multicultural classrooms.
Q: What Cornell experiences prepared you for the Fulbright?
A: My education professors were absolutely phenomenal and they pushed me to become a more reflective teacher, to challenge myself, and to see the best in each of my students. I feel that this and my student teaching experience at Mark Twain Elementary are really what have prepared me the most for my upcoming adventure to Thailand.
Q: What will come after the year in Thailand?
A: After my year is up I could pursue a master’s degree in ESL (English as a second language) or continue working in schools with a high percentage of English language learners. I’m really open to anything because I have a lot of different interests and it’s so hard to tell how this experience is going to shape me.
Q: Who was your Cornell mentor?
A: I was really inspired by Meg Jacobs, assistant professor of education, and her commitment to working in social justice. She teaches full time, has a family with young children, and still makes time to volunteer and commit time to the things that she’s passionate about. Additionally, she is one of the most humble people that I know. Ghandi, Mother Teresa, and all of the incredible peace and change makers of the world are definitely inspirational, but they are often not as relatable. When I think of being a world changer it is people like Meg, the down to earth people who just take it one day at a time, who I really look up and aspire to be like.
Q: How did One Course At A Time impact your education?
A: When I was in art blocks I could get out all of my materials and work with clay all night if I wanted! In education blocks I got to observe classrooms for entire weeks at a time. This worked particularly well because students in the afternoon are completely different than student in the morning, and One Course At A Time helped prepare me for both.
Q: What is your biggest academic accomplishment?
A: I am particularly proud of the “health and wellness monsters” that I made for one of my classes about integrating education, art, and wellness. I’m using them now in the third grade classroom that I’m teaching in and the students love them!
Q: What did you do during your Alternative Spring Break trip?
A: The spring of my junior year I went to Alabama with ASB to work with individuals with special needs. This was an area I was interested in, but had little experience with. I joined mainly to help prepare myself for teaching students with a variety of needs, however, I was pleasantly surprised when I got so much more than that. During the trips and the meetings leading up to the trip I got to know and become friends with a group of some of the kindest individuals I’d ever met. Our time in Alabama was a very eye opening experience and I regret not doing ASB more!
Q: What is the theme of your life? How do all of your interests tie together?
A: I think (or hope) that kindness is the theme of my life. When I was little my favorite character from Winnie the Pooh was Eeyore because I felt like he was sad and just needed a friend. When I got just a little older and joined my first soccer team, rather than going for the ball, I’d try and protect the dandelions from getting run over. I have outgrown that, but now I care for all of the students in my classroom and also for the campers of Camp Courageous (an amazing camp for individuals with special needs) where I also work.
Q: What was your favorite activity on campus?
A: I loved the pet therapy days during the week of finals! Faculty and staff bring in their cats and dogs for students to play with and relieve stress. It’s a really great idea because who doesn’t love puppy cuddles?
Q: What is a random fact you’ve learned through your major?
A: I learned never to put a cup of slip (clay and water mixture) next to a cup of coffee because they look very similar but taste completely different!
Q: What would you tell a prospective about Cornell?
A: If you’re creative, open minded, value diversity, and ready for an experience unlike any other, then welcome to Cornell!
