Catching Up With Elinor Frank!
Forman Scholar Elinor Frank graduated from Bloomsburg University in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Middle-Level Math Education. This August, she will begin her journey as a math teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Liberty, Pennsylvania! We recently caught up with Elinor to learn more about her college experience and her plans for the future.
How did you get involved at Bloomsburg?
I began college during the pandemic when there were few opportunities available for things to be involved in. My RA in college helped me to get involved in other aspects of college outside of coursework. She introduced me to the communication club and helped me to become an RA myself. Throughout college, I joined the National Communication Association Student Club, Presidential Leadership Academy, Honors College, Fredrick Douglass Institute of Scholars and Lambda Pi Eta. I was also an RA for three years.
What’s the biggest difference between high school and college?
The biggest difference for me between high school and college was that in college, I was focused on where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I stopped trying to appeal to everyone else’s wants for me and found what I love. Being immersed in an inclusive and welcoming environment allowed me to grow and discover so much about myself and my values and passions.
What’s the greatest lesson you learned in college?
People are going to have their own opinions about your life, but they don’t matter. I had heard this before, but it never sank in until I was living it. The only opinions that hold weight are the ones you allow, and often those opinions belong to people you won’t see again. You must live your college years especially for yourself, continuing to learn and grow every day and not being limited by the fear of judgement from others.
How do you plan on applying the lessons you’ve learned from college to the betterment of your community?
I am currently a long-term substitute teacher at Mannington School, which is where I went when I was younger. While I’m here, I’ve been encouraging students to discover who they are as learners. I’m not entirely sure what the future holds for me as far as applying all my lessons from college, but I’m excited to find out. There are always more things left to learn and fine-tune. One of the biggest lessons that I’ve found through my education is that we’re never really done learning.
Why are organizations such as the Forman Acton Foundation so important?
Organizations like the Forman Acton Foundation are important because they offer support in numerous ways. Many peers have expressed that the Foundation provided them with a close-knit and supportive network throughout their college journey. Even just the mid-year gift baskets were a nice little reminder that I had people rooting for me. I plan to stay involved with the Foundation by getting involved with other alumni when the opportunity presents itself. To me, being a Forman Scholar means that I have people believing in me and ensuring that what I have already accomplished is recognized and making all the things I plan to accomplish possible.