Erin Rainard - MRGS '13

Erin was a part of the program beginning in 2011. Below Erin shares accomplishments as well as struggles post-graduation, and some fond memories of Governor's School.

After Gov School:

"Post Graduation I graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Art and Education and a teaching license from Radford University. My first job post college was teaching high school art for Warren County Va. I have also worked in a Residential 4 Psychiatric facility in an elementary school classroom, as well as worked in childcare, and as an ABA therapist. I am currently working as an elementary school Art Teacher for a Title 1 School in Frederick County VA. I also am a private artist and I am currently working on building my own website for my art."

Check it out! :https://emrainard.wixsite.com/gypsygirlart

How Gov School helped in overcoming struggles and setbacks:

"While I feel I have made changes to better my life and to continue moving forward, not everything has been wonderful. I have been hospitalized for my mental health 6 times, I have suffered multiple concussions and being stabbed by a client/student I was working with, I have gotten myself out of domestic violence situations, but I continue to move forward in life. I know Gov School has helped me to learn critical thinking skills as well as other worthwhile life skills that have kept me persevering in life and doing the best I can with what I have in the moment."

Key life skills from Gov School:

"I learned public speaking skills in the English classes which I use every day while I am teaching and I think it has given me confidence going into job interviews, etc."

"I worked with some website creation, etc. during one of my year long projects for gov school. I used the same website creator tool for my current website that I have for my art."

Memories:

"I unfortunately lost a lot of my memories of Gov School, and most things prior to 5 years ago, during my repeated head injuries and concussions. When I think back on Gov School though, my feeling and memory of it is overall very positive."

However, one unique Gov School memory stuck with Erin:

"One of the most memorable experiences for me was the field trip to Wallops Island and the Nasa Flight facility and we got to go diving in the mud and the marshes."

One more thing:

"I wish that Gov School could have been offered to more students because I think it is [a] really beneficial form of education as well as really good teachers."