Juliet Fluty-Corcoran ’24
Why ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥
I’m originally from upstate New York. I was looking for a school that was far enough away from home where I could have my own bubble, but I could still come home if I wanted to. Coming from such a small town, I got used to what was around me, but I was able to see where ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ students were going and the experiences they were having. What really drew me to ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ was all of the opportunities to travel.
Exceptional Teaching and Learning
I was originally a Marine Science major with a minor in Animal Psychology. I took an Intro to Education class as an elective, and I found it so fun. I’m a very hands-on person, and this class had fieldwork attached — I got to go to a school and teach. I switched my major [to Community Education] after that. It gave me the opportunity to push what I thought traditional teaching was. I learned that education can be so much more than just four walls in a classroom.
The most impactful aspect of the [Community Education] program was the professors. Being taught by people who really care about you makes such a huge difference; they make you feel super welcome. They supported me emotionally and academically to pursue my interests.
Global Education
I went to Belize and Ireland when I was a junior. When I went to Belize for the Coral Reef Ecology course, I was able to be in my field, but in a new place that we wouldn’t see in Maine. We went scuba diving and snorkeling, saw a lot of beautiful animals, but also saw a lot of the global impacts of pollution. When I was in Ireland for the Education Around the World course, we hopped around to five or six different schools and taught lessons. With both [global experiences] mixed together, I was able to develop a deeper appreciation for what I love and learn how to teach what I love.
My senior year, I had to go through a practicum. I knew that I wanted to do something with marine science and that I wanted to push the envelope. I found an outreach program called Educational Passages — they create mini boats to send off in the ocean and track where they go. I showed them my proposal; I wanted to incorporate traveling, global connections, and education. I connected with a class in Ireland that had previously discovered a mini boat a couple of years prior. I was able to go there and connect my class at Biddeford Primary School with the class in Ireland — I made them pen pals. I also integrated marine science and climate change curricula into mainstream classes, both abroad in Ireland and locally in Biddeford.
Beyond the Classroom
I co-founded ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥â€™s Boating Club with Chris Gregoricus during my senior year. We helped students log hours toward their boating licenses and support the Marine Biology student labs out on Ram Island.
I was also an RA my senior year, but I wish I had gotten into it sooner. Because I was developing so much as an educator, I was able to use a lot of the skills I learned in my major to do programming for my residents and help them adjust. I was an RA for freshmen; it’s their first time away from their families, their first time out of state, and you’re helping them develop who they are and feel comfortable. I would host programs about building resumes, interviewing for jobs, or what it looks like to register for classes. Putting an education spin on it made me think about how I could help them develop as students and individuals.
I now work at Via Aquarium in upstate New York as an Educational Manager. I do outreach, organize camps, and work with the public on programming about conservation.