Erin Nance
- Eau Claire, Wis.
- Bachelor of science degree in special education
- What's next: Seeking employment in the Eau Claire area teaching at the secondary level
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
Through her involvement with UW-Eau Claire's Best Buddies student organization, Erin Nance learned firsthand the impact one person can have on the lives of those with cognitive disabilities.
After a Best Buddies function, Nance said, "I had a mom come up and thank me for the work we put into it and explain how much her daughter enjoyed it. This left an impression on me that I do not believe I could forget."
When she entered UW-Eau Claire as a freshman, she was a reserved student with not much inclination to be a leader, Nance said. However, her confidence increased as she became involved in extracurricular activities, including serving as a student mentor in the university's First-Year Experience program and participating in student organizations like Best Buddies and the Student Council for Exceptional Children.
As she graduates, Nance, selected this spring as the special education department's Outstanding Senior, looks forward to the chance to begin working in the classroom and perhaps teaching one day at the college level.
"I think that it would be very rewarding to have an impact on future teachers like so many of my professors have had on me," she said.
More on Erin Nance
Future plans: I hope to get a job somewhere near Eau Claire and begin teaching at the secondary level. I am very interested in assisting students’ transition into the community and would eventually love to open a transition program/house that teaches critical life skills students need. I eventually want to get my master’s degree and am considering working at the university level later on. I think that it would be very rewarding to have an impact on future teachers like so many of my professors have had on me.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: I have been fortunate to have met people in my classes that I look forward to having as future colleagues. We have so much fun sitting at a coffee shop and chatting about different situations that come up in the classroom and sharing humorous stories about our experiences in the schools. I have also had the chance to work with community agencies like the Eau Claire Area School District, ARC of Eau Claire and United Cerebral Palsy. I think that by establishing these connections, I have so many resources to go to so that I am better prepared to help my students.
What she liked most about her UW-Eau Claire experience: I enjoyed the opportunity to really get to know my classmates and faculty on a more personal level. I think that a lot of people leave college feeling like they were just a person sitting in a class; I was fortunate enough to be in a major and school that values its students and gets to know them. I have enjoyed getting to know a wide variety of people and meeting lifelong friends. Being here has also given me reason to be passionate about my career; there is a lot of coursework and classes, but to see the rewards of time and energy spent in my impact on a classroom has definitely made it worth it. I am excited to be a special education teacher and go out into my own classroom!
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire: My very first highlight was receiving the David Matthew Ver Hagen Scholarship. This allowed me to put the time and energy into my coursework and extracurricular activities that helped me do as well as I have. UW-Eau Claire was also the place where I figured out who I was and who I wanted to be. I was presented with opportunities that allowed me to “step outside the box” and test the waters while I still had guidance and immediate support. When I began college, I was much more reserved and did not volunteer to lead a whole lot, but after being a First-Year Experience mentor and director of a university program, I feel that I am more confident when I enter into something new.
Proudest college accomplishments: My proudest accomplishment has been serving as the College Buddy director for Best Buddies. It has helped me to become the person I am and develop skills that will help me as a future teacher. I have also had the chance to work with community members who have taught me valuable lessons. While being in this program, I've realized what kind of an impact I can have. I had a mom come up and thank me for the work we put into it and explain how much her daughter enjoyed it. This left an impression on me that I do not believe I could forget. I think that being selected as an outstanding senior was also a proud moment. I have worked hard and put my heart into my major and activities, and to see it recognized was very rewarding.
Advice for incoming students: I firmly believe that you have to put your heart into what you are doing. If you aren’t passionate, it's difficult to find the energy at times. I also think that college and life in general is what you make it. It is your choice to succeed or fail; if you want a great experience in college, you have to be willing to seek out opportunities and experiences. College is the time to invent yourself and determine who you want to be; it is a shame when people give up that chance.
Learn about other featured May 2008 graduates
