By Sara Nemec, student writer, UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Heather Witt
- Kendall, Wis.
- Special education graduate
- What's next: Finding an elementary-setting teaching job and pursuing a master's degree
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
As a freshman at UW-Eau Claire, Heather Witt thought she had her life planned out. She would play basketball with the Blugold women's basketball team, earn a teaching degree and settle down somewhere close to her hometown in rural Kendall, Wis.
Witt, who had a passion for teaching since second grade and had always enjoyed playing basketball, said she knew choosing to attend UW-Eau Claire would provide her with the best chance of fulfilling her plan to have an exceptional athletic and educational career.
Then a class at UW-Eau Claire caused her to change her plan — specifically the part about life after college. Through the foundations of education department, Witt traveled with her human diversity class to Sumter, S.C., where she had the opportunity to work with first-grade students.
"While I was in Sumter, I was the minority," Witt said. "This trip provided me with the experience of teaching in a different environment and the opportunity to teach students of different backgrounds."
That experience, as well as traveling in the United States and internationally with the basketball team, gave Witt the travel bug. With graduation on the horizon, Witt said she would like to take her expertise to other parts of the country.
"I would like to teach in another state at some point in my career because I want to find out what the schools are like outside of Wisconsin," she said. "I love experiences that give me new perspectives on teaching."
More on Heather Witt
Future plans: My future plans after college include finding a teaching job in the elementary setting, in either general or special education around the Eau Claire area. After a few years I would like to return to school to receive my master’s degree in special education. In the next 10-15 years I would like to be teaching in a different state, preferably out west.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: While at UW-Eau Claire, I had the privilege of experiencing many new things that are not available to all students. For instance, I had the opportunity to participate in the athletics component of college, playing four years on the women’s basketball team. Through UW-Eau Claire’s basketball program, I had the chance to travel all over the United States to play at different colleges and universities. Also through the basketball program, I was given the opportunity to play overseas in Australia in the summer of 2008. Without being involved with a basketball program like UW-Eau Claire’s, I would have never been given the opportunities to travel as far or as much as I did during my four years.
What she liked most about her UW-Eau Claire experience: When I think back on my UW-Eau Claire experience, I really liked that I was given the chance to do things I never thought were possible. Growing up in a rural community, I hadn’t traveled much further than Minnesota, nor did I think I ever would! During my time at UW-Eau Claire, not only was I given the chance to travel with the basketball team throughout the United States, but within the foundations of education program as well. The department hosted trips to places such as Texas, Washington, D.C., and South Carolina in order for future educators to experience highly diverse classrooms. Finally, I really liked all the professors I had in my teaching programs, both elementary and special education. Their wealth of knowledge from their own experiences from the field and overall passion for education was such a motivation and inspiration for me as a future teacher.
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire: Some of highlights of my life at UW-Eau Claire include winning conference in basketball my junior year, getting accepted into the education program and traveling to South Carolina through the foundations of education department to teach in the schools over my 2007 spring break. I also will treasure all the time spent working with young girls from the community through Blugold basketball camps and Blugold Buddies.
Proudest college accomplishments: I think being part of such a highly regarded basketball program for four years while at the same time being a full-time student and graduating with honors is one of my proudest accomplishments.
Advice for incoming students: Be active in school. Take the opportunity to study abroad or participate in the extracurricular activities, clubs, organizations or sports that UW-Eau Claire has to offer. The time goes by quickly, so take advantage of every opportunity you have to enrich your collegiate experience.
Learn about other featured December 2009 graduates
