In a second-grade classroom in LeClaire, Iowa, elementary education major Abby Wolter ‘26 moves from desk to desk, helping students sound out words, solve problems, and share their ideas. It’s a place filled with energy and constant motion, exactly where she feels most at home.
“I have 17 amazing second graders. They make you laugh, and they make you smile so much,” Wolter said.
For Wolter, this moment is the result of years of preparation and a journey shaped by family, coaches, professors, and following her passions.
That journey began long before she stepped into her own classroom. As the youngest of three siblings, Wolter grew up watching her brothers attend St. Ambrose University, making the campus feel familiar even before she enrolled.
But family wasn’t the only factor. Wolter was also searching for a place where she could grow academically, while continuing to play basketball and nurturing her faith. There was no better place for her than St. Ambrose University.
“I always grew up with a strong faith, so that was a huge factor,” the Keokuk, Iowa, native recalled. “I heard that they had a great basketball program here and a great education program, and I really wanted to be able to do both of those. Plus, the two-hour mark was the perfect distance from home. It wasn't too far or too close.”
A passion for teaching
Wolter’s path to education wasn’t immediate, but it was deeply personal. As she began exploring majors during her college search, she found herself reflecting on what kind of career would bring her long-term fulfillment.
“My mom always came home with a smile on her face, and she always had satisfaction through it,” she said.
That example stayed with her. Over time, her interest in working with students, combined with her desire to find purpose in her work, led her to education.
“I wanted to choose a career path that made me feel the way my mom did. That I enjoyed every single day,” Wolter said.
Learning by doing
Through her St. Ambrose education, Wolter’s passion for teaching flourished. She developed engaging instruction methods, inviting students to be active participants in their learning.
Now in her student teaching placement, Wolter is putting these methods into practice with her second-grade class. At Bridgeview Elementary, she leads lessons designed to build her students’ confidence through creativity and collaboration.
From opinion writing projects based on Cinderella stories from around the world to hands-on math activities that involve measuring classmates, her classroom reflects the strategies she developed during her time at St. Ambrose. That variety is exactly what draws her to elementary education.
“I like the unknown, and you never know what’s going to happen next,” she said.
A life on the court
Wolter’s St. Ambrose education has been shaped by more than her academic endeavors. As a four-year member of the women’s basketball team, she built friendships and memories that will last long after graduation.
“It’s meant everything to me,” she said. “I think that there’s nothing like the sisterhood you get from being a part of a sport.”
Basketball has been a part of her life since childhood, influenced by her brothers and parents, both of whom played in college. At St. Ambrose, it became a defining part of her college experience – one that challenged her and helped her grow.
“I’ve built relationships that I will have for the rest of my life,” she said.
Balancing athletics with the demands of an education major required discipline, especially during student teaching. With support from professors, coaches, and her placement school, she was able to manage both.
That support became especially clear during her student teaching semester, when she had to balance time in the classroom with travel for basketball.
“Whenever we had to leave class early or miss class, my professors always asked, ‘What do you need from us? What can we do to help you?’” she said.
With that flexibility from professors and encouragement from her team, she was able to continue following her two passions all four years.
“Throughout college, you have to build those time management skills. It wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t change it, because I love teaching and I love basketball,” she said.
Her hard work was recognized with All-American honors, a moment that felt especially meaningful after a difficult injury at the end of her final season.
“It felt like everything had paid off, and that my work was for something,” Wolter said.
Education for the future
As she prepares to graduate, Wolter is ready to take the next step in her journey, pursuing a career in elementary education while continuing her connection to basketball through coaching.
“In a perfect world, I would get a job in a district that would also have an opening for a basketball coach,” she said. And she’s holding out for the right fit. “I got a job offer, but it didn’t feel right,” she said.
With two more interviews lined up, Wolter is hopeful she’ll soon find a school that aligns with her values and goals.
For her, these goals aren’t separate. They’re part of the same purpose: building relationships and helping others grow. That mindset was shaped by her time at St. Ambrose, where she found support both in the classroom and on the court.
“Ambrose has been such a home away from home. I felt like I was supported, I was valued,” she said.
Now, as she looks ahead to her own classroom, her focus is clear.
“I don’t want to just create stronger readers or mathematicians, but students who are part of our world, who can be productive citizens,” Wolter said.
Want to explore your passion for teaching in the classroom? See where a St. Ambrose University elementary education degree can take you.
