Briana Hollberg

ELED Ambassador Spotlight Questions

Briana Hollberg
BSEd student

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Griffin, GA. A few years ago, my family relocated to Burke, VA, where we have found a love of this beautiful state.

Why did you decide to become an elementary teacher?

I discovered my passion for teaching later into my college career after multiple major changes, and have found it to be a most rewarding path. With helping my local youth group and neighborhood children, I found my love of teaching and learning from my community. Children are our future and I can’t wait to further their imagination, ideas, and knowledge.

Why did you choose to study Elementary Education at Mason?

George Mason is close to home. There is a strong community amongst students, staff, and prospective students and I wanted to be a part of Patriot Pride. There are hundreds of opportunities for students, so you can truly do anything you are interested in. What drew me to Mason for Education was the opportunity to be in the field every semester and the cohorts. In the first few weeks of the semester, I made incredible friends who I will be with for the next year!

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I love to be outside with my dog exploring new places near my home. You will catch us shark tooth hunting, hiking, or swimming. I am also an avid scrapbooker, so you’ll often find me buying scrap paper, stickers, stamps, or new pens. Powerlifting has become a recent passion of mine, which I hope to continue as I find more friends with that same interest.

What advice would you give to the students who are just starting the ELED program?

My advice for incoming ELED students is to assess yourself every semester and track your growth. It is amazing to see how every class opens your perspective and adjusts your teaching philosophy. As future educators, it's important that we reflect on our work and take action. Be curious, ask questions to further your learning, and don’t be afraid to try something new in your field experience classrooms!