Courtney Carlson studied at Iowa Wesleyan from 2012-2014. She was a non-traditional student taking night classes while raising her three children. While at Iowa Wesleyan, Courtney studied Elementary Education and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education K-6 with an endorsement in Social Studies K-8.
Courtney has worked as a kindergarten teacher since graduating in 2014. She’s taught at North Hill Elementary School in Burlington, IA and just recently accepted a position at Harlan Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, IA. She’s excited to come back to Mount Pleasant and to be part of the Mount Pleasant Community School District.
When asked about her favorite memory from her time as an Iowa Wesleyan Tiger, Courtney fondly remembers building relationships with her peers and professors. She said, “The professors at Iowa Wesleyan through the teaching program were amazing. I truly felt that my peers and professors became family and I had so much support as an adult learner. I also remember the placements that I experienced and how much they helped me in my teaching career today.” While she felt that all of her teachers influenced her in some way, Courtney said that Dr. Newland was someone that stood out to her. “I felt that she was a fun professor and I enjoyed listening to stories that were personal as well as feeling that I was learning so much from her class.”
As for the advice Courtney would offer to young alumni, she said, “Go out and do what you set out to do and never stop learning! IW taught me that I can accomplish anything if I work hard and stay focused. Also, know that you always have the support and guidance of your professors at Iowa Wesleyan University. There have been many times that I have reached out to certain people from IW even four years after graduating. IW is amazing in supporting their students.”