Abigail Durant is graduating from Mercer University‘s Tift College of Education with a Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary/special education.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I will be teaching first grade at Springdale Elementary School in Macon. I plan to pursue my master’s degree after completing my first year of teaching.
Who was your favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor was Dr. Vicki Luther, associate professor of education. She was always happy and positive no matter what she had going on in her life. She really has a passion for reading and for the education field in general, and it was visible. Dr. Luther has so much knowledge and continues to grow through different trainings and participating in research. When I got to Mercer, I was lucky enough to have her as my Mercer Firsts mentor, and I couldn’t have had a better match. Dr. Luther and I really clicked, and she became someone that I truly look up to. I hope to be half the educator she is one day.
How do you plan on changing the world?
I plan to change the world by providing students with the knowledge and resources they need to be successful in their lives. These are the people who will be our future doctors, lawyers, mechanics, engineers and more. Many of the children in Macon do not have a person who can be a positive guiding figure. I hope to be able to be that person to many of these students and to show them how amazing they are. They have so much to offer, and I hope to positively change each of their lives.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Don’t let one bad grade get you down. You can and will pull your grade up. Show the professors you care. Try your hardest on everything, and you will succeed. Go to office hours if you’re struggling. The professors really do care about you and want you to do well. Take the time to have fun, but make your academics a priority. Do not overwork yourself! Try your best!
What makes Mercer special to you?
Mercer is a small school with professors who genuinely care about you. Because of this, I was able to form a relationship with each of my professors as well as my classmates. My cohort had 10 lovely girls in it, and we all have a bond that is unbreakable. We have all been there for each other throughout classes, engagements, deaths, student teaching and so much more, and I know we can count on each other to be there when we start our first year of teaching as well even if we are in different states. I don’t think that this would have been possible without a small school like Mercer.
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