Gabby Vogt is three-time graduate of the School of Education, with a bachelor's degree in secondary English education (Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program), a master's in curriculum and instruction, and a specialist in curriculum and instruction. She joined the SOE Board of Advisors in Fall 2024.
Q & A
What led you to want to serve on the School of Education Board of Advisors?
I was led to serve on the School of Education Board of Advisors because of the indelible impact my experience at the School of Education had on me both professionally and personally. I always believe in leaving a place better than you found it. Serving on the School of Education Board of Advisors affords me the opportunity to return my roots and continue to make it better. Being a current P-12 educator in Mississippi, I see the challenges novice teachers are facing and want to bring my knowledge of the field back to the School of Education so that its graduates will be even better prepared for the challenges ahead of them.
Why did you choose to attend UM and the School of Education?
I attended the SOE at the UM after being invited to participate in the 2nd cohort of the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program. Receiving a full cost of attendance scholarship and the opportunity to begin taking education classes and enter field experience my first semester was an opportunity I could not pass up. I remained at the SOE for 3 years while I pursued graduate degrees and worked as a graduate assistant for Dr. Ann Monroe. The 7 years I experienced as a student at UM and SOE shaped me into the educator and woman I am today.
Tell us about your favorite professor(s) at the School of Education? How did they make a positive impact on your professional and personal pursuits?
I truly was impacted positively by every professor that I had at the School of Education. Dr. Rosemary Oliphant-Ingham was my first professor back in 2014 and still to this day inspires me to foster a love of reading with my student. Dr. Denise Soares was my professor and Honors College thesis advisor and continues to inspire my work as a researcher and scholarly writer. Dr. Sally Quong continues to inspire how I implement classroom management and teaching strategies into my classroom. Dr. Ann Monroe demonstrated to me how impactful positive student-teacher relationships can be at any level of education. I am eternally grateful to have been taught by Dr. Melody Musgrove during our time together at the SOE. I keep her memory close to my heart and think of her example every day as I advocate for equitable learning for all student.
Tell us about your proudest moment in education.
My proudest moment in education happened this school year. My Friday lessons are routine in my classroom. Two of my students asked if they could "fill in" for myself and my coteacher, Lacey Stribling, and teach the class. They prepared their own slide deck, wore our lanyards, and led the class in activities just as we would. Despite being 7th graders who could spend their Friday night scrolling TikTok, they decided to have a sleepover and play "school" and continue to practice being Ms. Vogt and Mrs. Stribling. I do not know if these two kids will become teachers one day but just to have an impact like this on them now is so meaningful to me.
Do you have any advice for our current students?
My advice for current students is to absorb as much knowledge as you can. As educators we have to be lifelong learners, but the commitments of teaching can take up so much time. You have to be purposeful about making time to continue to learn and grow. There is no better time for learning than when you are a student in the School of Education. Go to class, study hard, do research, get out into the schools, and soak up all the knowledge and experience you can!