Filling a need
10/27/2023
Education wasn't Edward Hardaway's original plan. However, when others suggested he would make a good teacher, he listened and found his calling.
Mr. Hardaway is prepared for the future
Edward Hardaway 鈥23, a middle childhood education major from Englewood, Ohio, had his lesson plans ready and was prepared for student teaching at the beginning of the fall semester. Then, someone called him by his name.
鈥淚t鈥檚 weird hearing Mr. Hardaway. That鈥檚 my dad鈥檚 name,鈥 explained Hardaway. 鈥淚 realized I鈥檓 almost into my career and starting the rest of my life.鈥
Hardaway is completing his student teaching experience in sixth grade social studies and eighth grade language arts at Glandorf Elementary school, which serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Middle childhood education majors are certified to teach grades 4-9. Between field experiences and student teaching, he鈥檚 had experience in every grade level, but he鈥檚 most enjoyed working with the eighth graders this year.
鈥淲e just finished reading the book 鈥楴othing but the Truth,鈥 and engaging with them and working with them on answering questions has been a wonderful experience,鈥 said Hardaway.
However, education wasn鈥檛 originally the plan when Hardaway committed to Bluffton. He鈥檚 explored a variety of majors from business to history, but people kept telling him they thought he鈥檇 make a good teacher. When he talked to Dr. Gayle Trollinger, professor of education, about middle childhood education, she told him to 鈥渢ake the weekend and talk to God.鈥
鈥淭hose words stuck with me, and this is the career I want,鈥 said Hardaway.
With a population of about 1,000 in the village of Glandorf, Glandorf Elementary would certainly be considered a rural school district, but Hardaway also enjoyed the insights gained during an urban seminar experience in Chicago.
鈥淓specially being African American in this field, the kids need you,鈥 said Hardaway. 鈥淧eople with backgrounds similar to you need you because yours is a face that鈥檚 not common in the teaching profession.鈥
In the future, he鈥檇 like to work alongside some of the influential educators he learned from as a young student and hopes to reconnect with his host family from his summer 2022 cross-cultural experience to the Czech Republic.
鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to explore and enjoy all that life has to offer but didn鈥檛 think it would come this early in life,鈥 he said.
Hardaway chose Bluffton because of the small class sizes as well as the overall aesthetic of the campus.
鈥淚 just fell in love with the beauty鈥攈ow easy it was to walk everywhere, how quiet it can be,鈥 said Hardaway. 鈥淚 took a creative writing class and one of the assignments was just to take a walk and write what you noticed about the scenery. The scenery here is something you wouldn鈥檛 get in a big city or from a big university.鈥
Hardaway will get to enjoy campus for a few more years. While he completes his undergraduate degree requirements this fall, he鈥檚 staying on campus to serve as the graduate assistant in Bluffton鈥檚 Office of Student Success while earning his master鈥檚 degree.
Confirm your calling
鈥淲e get them in the schools early and provide them with support and mentorship. We prepare students to become highly effective teachers and they get jobs.鈥