Athletics to academics: Frankie McGuire scores in soccer and studies

Frankie McGuire's drive to excel in soccer also extends to her dedication for teaching. As both a defender for the Broncos and an elementary education major, she's developing skills she'll bring to her own classroom one day as a teacher.

"Being an athlete is like organized chaos," McGuire said. "But I don't like to sit still. The energy I bring to athletics can be channeled for the age group I want to teach."

A lifelong competitor and youth soccer player from a family of educators in Fullerton, California, McGuire chose Boise State because of its soccer program, which has a strong reputation with the Slammers FC club where she played. She confidently declared a major in elementary education inspired by her dad and aunt, who teach special education and first grade, respectively, and who both speak often about the meaning and purpose they find in their careers.

The pair sparked McGuire's interest in pursuing the profession by taking her with them into their classrooms, where she noticed how young students absorbed the lessons with their developing brains. McGuire also grew up surrounded by siblings and cousins, and still feels at home around young kids. After student teaching and graduation, McGuire hopes to stay in Idaho to teach first grade.

Boise State's elementary education program provides hands-on experience for teacher candidates in area classrooms, building the foundation of experience McGuire will need to be a successful educator. Boise State student-athletes also have the opportunity to volunteer in the community, which includes visiting local schools where athletes introduce their sport, play with kids and demonstrate the benefits of being active and playing college sports.

The women's soccer team was recently featured by KTVB channel 7 for welcoming a pediatric stroke survivor onto the team through Team IMPACT, a nonprofit that connects children facing health challenges with college sports teams.

"My fieldwork experience has confirmed that I want to teach early elementary school," McGuire said. "Even though it's tiring sometimes going straight from practice to fieldwork or volunteering with the team, I love it."

McGuire credits Women's Soccer Head Coach Jim Thomas for setting the tone for the team's success, and for instilling the mindset she uses as a player, student and future teacher. Thomas encourages players to pay attention to detail in all they do and to be the best version of themselves on and off the pitch, something Thomas said McGuire demonstrates daily while juggling the responsibilities of school and sport.

"Frankie displays the resiliency in growth that befits any learner, and it doesn't come easy at times," Thomas said. "Frankie brings a positive nature and an open mind to seeking out the tiniest detail that enables her to be better every day. She brings joy to the process of getting better and works hard to share that development with others."

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