"Classes, professors gave me more of a passion for learning and a greater confidence in my ability to teach, lead, and succeed."
Mikaila Tice's Bio
Major
Teacher Education, Elementary/Special EducationCurrently
StudentMikalia's Journey
- Received free-tuition through the Garrett County Scholarship Program
- Experienced unwavering support and encouragement from faculty
- Developed a greater confidence in her ability to lead, teach and succeed through first-hand teaching experience
- Passion for teaching strengthened through classes, faculty support, and teaching experiences
- Shared college commencement experience with her father, Tim Tice
- 2018 Highest Grade Point Average Award Recipient
"Dad, if you don't watch it, I'm going to graduate before you." These were the words of Mikaila addressing her father, Tim Tice, not too long ago. Twelve years ago, Tim was simultaneously working full-time and raising two young kids at the time, when he made the decision to enroll at Garrett College.
In May 2018, the end result was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for both father and daughter – a shared college commencement. Yes, college.
Appreciating how rare of an opportunity it may be to graduate college with one of your parents, Mikaila was honored to share such a special day with her dad.
"It was actually pretty exciting!" she exclaimed. "Dad may have been worried about taking attention away from me, but in actuality, it felt like I got more attention since I was now not just a girl graduating, but the girl who was graduating with her dad!"
She also shared in another moment with her father at commencement. Amongst 102 members of the May 2018 graduating class, five graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors). Her and her father were both recognized with this achievement.
Mikaila was also honored with the highest grade-point average among graduates completing 60 or more credit hours at Garrett College at commencement.
With recently earning her associate of arts in teaching degree in elementary education/special education, she plans to attend Frostburg State University this fall to pursue her bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree, in elementary education.
"I'm following in my mother's footsteps," she said. She shared that her mother also attended GC and FSU on the way to obtaining a master's degree in elementary education.
"Garrett was a no-brainer for me; I knew I wanted to be a teacher from the start and I would receive the Garrett County Scholarship," noted Tice. "If you are graduating from high school and live in Garrett County, take advantage of the two tuition-free years at Garrett!
Through the support and guidance of Tim Foster, GC's professor of mathematics, she was able to take part in instructing the mathematics portion of the "College and Me" program held at the college's McHenry campus during her last two semesters.
Foster was very impressed with Mikaila in his teacher education classes, in which she had the highest grade-point average.
"When I had the opportunity to see Mikaila teach the fifth graders in the "College and Me" program it was sheer delight," Foster said. "Her concern for student learning is a driving force that will make her an outstanding teacher. I hope she continues to teach in Garrett County."
"The program gave me more experience teaching children and allowed me to gain a better grasp of what effective leadership and communication looks like," Mikaila noted. "So many of the classes and professors gave me more of a passion for learning and a greater confidence in my ability to teach, lead, and succeed."
In addition to Foster, she also credits Dr. John Taylor, GC's assistant professor of education, for their guidance, support, and pushing her towards the future.
"Particularly, I want to thank them (Taylor and Foster) for always being such great resources, mentors, and supporters as I tackled each challenge at Garrett and looked ahead towards the future," Mikaila said. "They believed in me even when I did not always believe in myself, and I cannot thank them enough for that."
Dr. Taylor spoke highly of Mikaila and how she exemplifies all of the genuine attributes and characteristics one would expect out of a future educator.
"A true teacher is someone who is competent, caring, committed, and personable. All of these words describe Mikaila Tice," noted Taylor. "The greatest recommendation I can give Mikaila is that I would have liked for my sons to have had her as a teacher. Her future students will be very lucky to have such a wonderful educator."
Spoken from the words of a future teacher, Mikaila says one will never regret the learning that is experienced, the friendships that are built, or the memories that are made.
"Sometimes it can be easy to focus on the areas in which we fail, but I have found that when we are willing to look beyond our shortcomings, work hard, and step out of our comfort zones, we tend to surprise ourselves and achieve more than we thought we could."
