After moving to the area during her sophomore year, Alaina knew she wanted a career where she could truly help others. What draws her most to education is the sense of community—the family you find within a classroom—and the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on generations of students. Teaching runs deep in her family, with both her grandparents and godfather serving as educators, and that legacy continues to inspire her. Alaina isn’t pursuing education for the paycheck or a typical office job; she’s driven by purpose and the belief that teachers change lives. Currently enrolled in the Education Professions program, Alaina’s goal is to earn her associate degree in Early Education through Yavapai College before graduating high school.
She discovered Mountain Institute through a newsletter and chose to challenge herself by taking on the program alongside other responsibilities—something that quickly paid off. Through classroom observations, she found a genuine love for teaching and a growing interest in understanding different learning styles and student needs, including special education. She plans to continue building those skills this semester and beyond. To future students, Alaina shares: “I’m really looking forward to meeting you, so that I can grow and learn with you.”