It's said that the best teachers are lifelong learners, and IVC alumna Julie Salerno is one learner-teacher who takes that ideal to heart.
With more than 20 years of experience as an instructional aide at Irvine’s Woodbury Elementary, Salerno found herself at a crossroads when she noticed the changing landscape of math education. Feeling a bit outpaced and eager to better support the elementary students she worked with, she took a courageous step — she went back to school, enrolling at IVC.
"I intended to get a certificate," Salerno reflects on her initial motivation, "but I went back as a much older student." Embarking on her educational journey at IVC, Salerno initially focused on early childhood classes, aligning her coursework with her job demands. However, what began as a narrow pursuit evolved into a broader exploration of general education. She set small goals and progressed steadily, taking two or three classes each semester.
Salerno's journey at IVC wasn't just about ticking off boxes; it was a transformative experience that significantly impacted her professional life. "All these classes very much helped me at the jobs I was working in at the time," she notes. One standout was a creative class that incorporated songs, games, and collaborative activities, providing an environment where students shared and learned from each other. Says Salerno: "That collaboration was huge.”
The diverse perspectives in her classes often shifted due to the group work inherent to studying the field, and exposed Salerno to different teaching philosophies, from the Reggio Emilia approach to Montessori. "I appreciated being pushed out of my comfort zone and learning about how other people do things," Salerno reflects, adding that exposure prepared her for the real-world challenges she would later face in her career. "I still apply theorists to my teaching and adapt to the school I'm working at."
Salerno's experience at IVC goes beyond the academic realm. "Every semester, I used the academic counselors to be sure I was on the right path," she notes. The emotional support she received, alongside practical guidance, was invaluable. "I needed reassurance that I wasn't taking a class I didn't need," she shares.
After IVC, Salerno set her sights higher, making the leap to Cal State Fullerton at the age of 57. “My joke is I would walk into classrooms for the first time and all the students would think I’m the teacher,” she quips. “I have four kids and all went to Irvine schools, so sometimes their friends would be in my classes.”
Despite being an older student, she found inspiration in the confidence and knowledge of her younger peers. "Even as an older person, it was great to seek out those mature younger people and appreciate how confident and learned they were in the classroom," she shares.
The IVC experience also equipped Salerno with skills crucial for professional success – she notes the opportunity to do lots of public speaking in each class as crucial for improving her confidence and made her stand out as a job candidate. "Even my class in elementary math was all public speaking. I was so surprised! But because people are trying to be teachers, being able to talk to parents is a big one," she adds.
Salerno's dedication to continuous learning didn't stop after earning her bachelor's degree. She later returned to IVC to take early childhood administration classes, a move that directly led to her job at Saint Paul's Preschool in Tustin. IVC's emphasis on real-world application, says Salerno, ensures graduates are well-prepared for the challenges they will face in their respective fields.
As Salerno looks back on her transformative journey, she emphasizes the seamless integration of older and younger students at IVC. "The generation gap wasn't an issue," she remarks. The college's inclusive environment allowed her to mentor younger students, bridging the gap with her wealth of experience.
To those contemplating further education, Salerno offers a resounding encouragement: "Do it! Even today, I always look up classes and want to go back because it helps your brain. Please stay in school even if it means taking one or two classes per semester. Three may be new things being researched and discovered about your field, and being a lifelong learner is such a huge factor in any role.”