102 Academics Shaping the Future Education students gain hands-on experience, preparing them for the future. ENCOURAGING EDUCATORS Posing for a picture, senior Claire Cole smiles with the teacher she assisted through the school year. Cole completed her final year in the McRae elementary education program while teaching second grade. Photo courtesy of Claire Cole Senior education students navigated the challenging yet rewarding role of full-time teaching during their final semester. They managed long days, early mornings and the responsibilities of education. The structure of Harding’s program was designed to provide a gradual preparation for their introduction into the classroom. Their last semester marked the transition from a full-time course load to a full-time teaching schedule alongside an experienced teacher in the school system. In their second-to-last semester, seniors began teaching three days a week while balancing college courses. By their final semester, they were fully committed to the classroom and taught every weekday at a local school ranging from elementary to high school depending on their area of specialty. For senior special education major Mallie Williams, her experience was both meaningful and informative. She began the spring 2025 semester teaching at the Sunshine School as a long-term substitute, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with students who faced unique challenges, an experience that deepened her passion for teaching. “This experience . . . has made me fall more and more in love with teaching,” Williams said. “Seeing [students] learn even the smallest things or the smiles on their faces brings me more joy than I ever could have imagined.” While rewarding, the job also provided many challenges. For Williams, managing a classroom independently not only strengthened her skills but also reaffirmed her commitment to making a positive impact on her students. She emphasized what attributes were crucial to her growth in the classroom. “I have learned the importance of patience, love and joy for my job,” Williams said. “I am by no means perfect and praying every day for these things is what gets me through some pretty tough days.” Senior Claire Cole spent the year with a classroom of second graders at McRae Elementary. She described her journey over the past year filled with growth, learning and memorable moments. “Be ready to ask questions, to love students well and to realize that you’re a lifelong learner too,” Cole said. “I’m continuing to learn, just like the students are.” Graduate student Regan McClure balanced teaching fourth grade full-time at Southwest Middle School with pursuing her master’s in clinical mental health through Harding. She reflected on her time through the elementary education program, grateful for the preparation she underwent. “I [appreciate] the privilege Harding gave me to walk into my first year of teaching with an entire school year of experience under my belt,” McClure said. Looking ahead, McClure shared her lifelong goal of supporting her students to reach their full potential. “For the rest of my life, I want to help people tap into all they have been created to be. Teaching right now is how I am living that out,” McClure said. “Some kids might not have anyone else in their life investing in who they are becoming.” Despite the demands, Cole, Williams and McClure were each motivated by the fact that they were helping to shape the future. They viewed their roles as not just academic but relational, teaching their students about kindness, confidence and respect. “They are our future—20 years down the road—and the foundational skills they learn right now will impact them for years to come,” Cole said. “It’s such a blessing to have been a small part in each of their journeys.” For these upcoming teachers, their passion impacted the world—one classroom at a time. Written by Cailynn Clayton
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