Changing directions – changing majors

Gabrialle Paul (’26 history) did not begin her college journey at Iowa State with the goal of being a history teacher. She was in the middle of her sophomore year as a business major when she decided to make a switch.

“I kind of just gave in to that little voice in my head that said, ‘Oh, you should be a teacher,’” she said.

Paul feels that teaching is important. She would like to teach at the high school level. Those students are at the cusp of going out into the world, and she wants to give them something to take with them as they take that step.

Making the leap

Before she changed her major to history, Paul spoke with Kevin Hill, associate teaching professor and the department’s academic advisor. He explained the requirements for the program, what credits she would need, and what the next steps were. At Iowa State, students interested in becoming a history teacher have a primary major in history and a second major in education.

“It was really easy for me to jump right in,” she said.

Once she began her history classes, Paul found that the faculty made an extra effort to include information specifically for students who were also studying education. They provided specific resources that Paul could implement in her future classroom. They also provided options for assignments and projects that were tailored to the needs and career interests of education students.

“They’re very willing to work with you and help you to implement the teaching side of things,” Paul said.

Finding opportunities

While taking “The Historian’s Toolbox” (HIST 3010), Paul worked on a semester-long paper that researched the history of the Mortarboard at Iowa State in the 1920s. This was a student-run, women’s honor society that started in 1914. Paul said the project pushed her to become a better student.

“I feel like I could write anything now,” Paul said. “That was a really good class for me in my growth as a historian and as a teacher.”

Professor Stacy Cordery taught that course and encouraged Paul to present her paper at the 2024 ISU Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.

“She mentored and supported me through the whole process,” Paul said. “She was at my presentation and invited all the faculty.”

When asked if she had any words of advice for incoming first-year students in the history program, Paul said, “I would tell them that as a history major, you will grow both as a student and a person more than you could ever think. Your professors genuinely care about you and they want to see you succeed.”