Triplets pursue a passion for teaching at UW-Stevens Point
It’s not uncommon to find siblings attending the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens
Point. But not many sisters and brothers have the experience of
starting college, taking nearly all their classes and preparing for graduation
as a group of two – or three.
As sisters and triplets, Rachel, Fran and Jackie
Weiss have had this special university experience. The three are seniors in the School of Education within the College
of Professional Studies at UW-Stevens Point.
“It’s not weird for us,” Jackie explained. “When
we’re together and in the same classes, we don’t even think about it.”
“I think it’s weirder for professors,” Fran
added, laughing.
In Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, the Weiss
triplets grew up in teaching roles – babysitting, leading Sunday school and
Girl Scout camp activities, and volunteering in their community. The three also
worked for five years as teaching assistants in elementary summer school
classes.
After completing high school, it came as no
surprise to family and friends as the sisters went on to study and prepare for
careers in education.
Although the three had no initial plans to
attend the same college, the Weiss triplets stayed close to their hometown and
enrolled in UW-Washington County before transferring to UW-Stevens Point in the
fall of 2015.
“We wanted to attend a university with a good
education program,” Rachel explained. “We toured the campus, we loved it, and
it was a good feeling.”
“UWSP is an in-between size,” Jackie added.
“There are things to do, yet it’s not a super big city, but it’s also not super
small.”
All three are happy with their decision and
agree the professors at UW-Stevens Point have made them confident in their
choice.
“I talk to friends at other schools, and I think
we have really good professors here,” Jackie explained.
“They give you so many opportunities to go into
the classroom and get involved to gain experience in teaching,” Fran said.
“When you have your own classroom, as a teacher,
you have a good model to reference,” Rachel added. “The professors here want
you to have a good experience.”
Krista Slemmons, assistant professor of biology
at UW-Stevens Point, described Jackie and Fran as smart, hard working and
meticulous in class.
“And, to top it off, they are creative, witty
and fun,” Slemmons said. “I know they will do amazing things and be great
teachers – the kind students will always remember.”
Consistently on the dean’s list, the Weiss
triplets admit they are academically competitive with each other, but in a
positive, encouraging way. “We push each other to do well,” Rachel said.
The sisters recently took a course together over
winterim with Perry Cook, professor of education at UW-Stevens Point.
“They are outstanding students and future
educators,” Cook said. “They have wise questions to pose, are eager to learn
and to apply everything right away, and they care deeply about becoming the
best educators they can.”
“I told them I was sad they weren’t sextuplets
because I’d love another three of them in class – they got a kick out of that,”
Cook added. “They have an amazing future ahead of them.”
Each sister is pursuing a different subject area
in education. Jackie would like to teach English as a second language, Fran is
interested in middle school math, and Rachel is focusing on secondary science.
“We used to think there may be competition
getting a job among us, but I don’t think that’ll be the case anymore,” Jackie
said, laughing.
As the Weiss triplets look ahead to completing
their degrees and teaching, they recognize it may be the first time the three
are no longer together in a classroom setting.
“UW-Stevens Point has been really fun, and the
people we’ve met have been great,” Fran said.
“We feel ready to teach our own classrooms and
students,” Rachel added.
Jackie,
Fran and Rachel Weiss will graduate in December, after student teaching this
fall. To learn more about the School of Education at UW-Stevens Point, visit www.uwsp.edu/education.