Student Voices - Post-Baccalaureate
Glenn Heartwell
Middle Grades Licensure Only
Class of 2009
Baltimore, Maryland
My background
I grew up in Baltimore City as one of nine children and was the first to graduate from college. I began my research career at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and worked there until we moved to Durham, N.C. to raise our two sons. I have been a manager of epidemiology research studies for most of my career.
Why I chose the UNC School of Education
I've always been involved with public schools and mentoring young people so as I was deciding to change careers, education was a natural fit for me. I love asking questions and teaching kids to think!
My experience
The Middle Grades Licensure Only program has helped to shape me into the kind of professional and caring teacher that I believe our children need. The faculty members are forthright and deal with the pressing issues that teachers confront in the classrooms. The in-school observation times have been invaluable. The classroom discussions and readings that uncover who we really are inside have helped me to grow and to acknowledge and address my own prejudices. I feel that I have quite an arsenal of wonderful strategies to use in the classroom.
Student life
The School of Education offers us many opportunities to be on campus for lectures, presentations and classes. The faculty makes sure that we have some fun times for celebration during the year.
My inspiration
All the faculty members in my program have been wonderful mentors, especially our fearless leader, Dr. Suzanne Gulledge. She is the ultimate professional, yet she has a wonderful sense of humor and forthrightness that I find so refreshing. Also, my parents inspired me as they always stressed the importance of education.
In 10 years
After teaching middle school students for the next 10 years, I want to retire and enjoy my husband and my grandchildren! I will know then that my life has been well spent giving back and sharing all that has been given to me.