Becky Bien endeavors to teach abroad

Student profile

Name

Becky Bien

Hometown

Leawood, Kan.

Major

Elementary Education with Human Development and Family Studies Minor

Year in school

Junior

Disability

Learning Disability

Education focus

Elementary school teacher

Future endeavors

I would like to teach abroad for a few years (possibly South Korea or Thailand) before returning to the states to begin my career in teaching and possibly administration.

Hobbies

In my spare time, I enjoy working with children, running, spending time with my friends and family, and playing with my dog.

Greatest challenge at MU

Learning how to keep up with the fast pace of many of my classes.

Advice for students with similar disabilities

The one thing that I learned really fast is to be an advocate for yourself. Make sure to make a connection with your professors the first week of class. Help your professor understand your disability, understand the accommodations that you need and, most importantly, show that you are a hard working student who wants to be successful.

Advice for new MU students

The University of Missouri offers a wide range of services and support, but you have to take advantage of them. If you have a question, ask. If you need help, seek it out. MU wants you to be successful but you must be motivated and take full advantage of all the services and support offered.

How the Office of Disability Services makes a difference

From my first visit with ODS as a senior in high school, I have found professional, caring advocates there. The staff facilitates the academic accommodations I need, and more importantly, they have supported and encouraged me as an individual. The office has been a place I can ask question, receive advice and find resources to make me successful.

What people should know about my disability

I have a reading processing disorder and also have difficulty processing information simultaneously from numerous sources. It takes me longer to process information. I also do not always learn the same way as everyone else does, but this does not mean that I am not capable of academic achievement and success. I just have to work harder and longer than my peers.