TOWAMENCIN- Miss Julia Young, a new addition to the engineering department at NPHS, knew that she wanted a career in education since she started teaching swimming lessons.

“I saw how other teachers taught, and I wanted to do it differently, because I knew that I learned differently,” stated Young.

Enrolled in a small Catholic school, Young noticed that many students lacked the ability to move confidently through the water.

“Being on the swim team, I saw that there was a need for people to teach swimming lessons, and I fell in love with it.  The spark that you see when people learn something is really rewarding,” explained Young.

While she was determined to go into education, Young was unsure of what to teach.  Noting that her father had always been influential in her life, Young had often seen him working with computers.  To the aspiring educator, teaching computer classes seemed like the best fit.

However, it was not until Young was working on a Technology Education degree at Millersville University that she truly found her path. She realized what she wanted to teach when she became involved in Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit organization that develops science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricula in American schools.

Young currently teaches First Level Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing, and Digital Electronics classes.  The engineering teacher affirms that her proudest accomplishment is being able to do what she enjoys every day.

Young offered advice for those who were considering an engineering career, saying to “push through the hard times, and it will get better.”

Adding that engineering can be a very male-dominated field, she stressed upon an important piece of advice.

“My advice for anybody is, if this is what you want to do, you can make it happen,” said Young.

“If you want to go into teaching you need to be very patient and very understanding, as well as a life-long learner,” Young stated, “because we all can change with the times that we live in.  You need to be open and willing to change with the times that there is.”

Young also commented on a moment in her career that solidified her passion in teaching.

“As of right now, it’s when I see students get it, when they have that ‘aha’ moment.  When students have been sitting there confused and suddenly it all clicks and the lightbulb goes on, that’s when I know that teaching is what I want to do,” explained Young.

Young added that she enjoys her job due to her involvement in several projects in the engineering department.

“I’m surrounded by an awesome group of guys; we do awesome things every single day.”

Admitting that she is a relatively new teacher at North Penn, Young explained that she plans to let students see a different side of the engineering world.

Reflecting on her accomplishments thus far in life, Young gave a final piece of advice to those around her.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something; you can always prove them wrong.”