Dr. Chelsea Mabie has served students in Oregon for the past sixteen years, from teaching elementary school to her current work at the Oregon Department of Education. Her passion is in literacy education and she holds a Ph.D from St. John's University. 

When did you graduate from OSU and what was your degree(s)?

I graduated from Oregon State in March 2012, after completing a Master's in Education through the Ecampus Program. OSU allowed me the flexibility to keep teaching full-time while applying action research during my master's studies. It was my advisor at OSU who planted the seed of continuing my studies to pursue a PhD. 

What inspired you to become a teacher?

A teacher named Mrs. Vogel is the reason I went into education. She was my second and third-grade teacher, and her whole presence was everything I wanted to be when I grew up. Warm, smart, and encouraged each of us to embrace our passions. She was like having your own champion each step of the way. 

How long have you been teaching or how long were you a teacher?

I taught elementary school for about five years, before moving into Instructional coaching and then working as a Teacher on Special Assignments (TOSA) at a district. I now work for the Oregon Department of Education, and even though my path no longer has me in the classroom, I am glad to be connected and supporting education.

Any tips to managing a classroom or other aspects of the teaching profession?

Relationships are the key. Relationships with students, with families, and with colleagues. Take the time to build the relationship,  is always worth it.

If you are no longer teaching, what is your current profession and how have you used your Education degree for that career?

Currently, I work for the Oregon Department of Education as an Education Specialist in the Office of Education Innovation and Improvement. I work closely with school districts to improve outcomes for students through systems-level changes and have been part of the implementation of a specific program that was developed under the Student Success Act. 

What advice would you give to our future teachers? (Some common topics may include: how to avoid burnout, finding mentors, things to know before you start teaching, etc.). 

Keep learning. Lean in and learn from a colleague, take the professional learning session that intrigues you, read articles and books that inspire you, and work with an instructional coach to keep getting better. Education is ever-evolving and so should your practice. The best teachers I have ever witnessed in action were the first to ask questions and try new things.