|
"An
HU professor makes each student feel important. I
carried that example into my classroom." |
Huntington University gave Maria (McCabe) Hallman the tools to
run a structured, disciplined classroom – traits required for
successful students and athletes.
“My students
know what I expect from them and aren’t afraid to take a
leadership role,” the 2003 physical education graduate says. “They understand that
I expect quite a bit from them and that I won’t let them slide
by.”
Maria teaches
physical education and health courses at DeKalb High School.
She’s also pursuing her master’s degree in sports management at
Ball State University. After completing an internship with the
Fort Wayne Fusion, she will graduate in June 2008.
While Maria
feels confident about the education she received in her core
area, she also sees the value of having a liberal arts
background.
“Huntington
provided me with a well-rounded education,” she says. “I was
able to learn a variety of things and not just my field of
study. I now feel comfortable helping my students in all
subjects and not just physical education or health.”
Maria believes
her professors made all of the difference in her undergraduate
years and also her teaching methods.
“An HU
professor makes each student feel important,” she says. “I
carried that example into my classroom. I try not having
favorites, and the students respond more when they are all on a
level playing field. Asking students to do their best and then
getting more out of them than they thought has allowed me to
have a positive classroom environment."
Having been a
student at both a private, Christian institution and now a
large, state university, Maria has become more aware of the
strengths of her Huntington experience.
“HU gives each
student the possibility to be heard,” she says. “Since I am
going for my master’s at BSU, I am finding the differences
between the universities when it comes to the relationship
between professor and student. HU professors encouraged us to
call, e-mail, or visit with any question we had. Their door was
always open. HU professors encouraged me to think for myself.
Not only was
she challenged academically, she also experienced physical
challenges at Huntington. Maria played volleyball and softball
as a student and carried on her athletic career as a coach through
her position at DeKalb High School. She coached varsity
volleyball and junior varsity basketball until she gave up those
roles to spend more time with her two children.
“It’s wonderful
to be a coach when you are a teacher,” she says. “However, I
think it’s important to be a teacher first because you teach
your students more during the day than you do your players. As a
coach, I tried to put my athletes first and teach them the
fundamentals of life and of the game.
At Huntington,
Maria developed as a student and an athlete, but most
importantly, she became a growing, thinking Christian.
“I loved being
challenged to think about my faith,” she says. “I loved the
classes that made me examine my beliefs and values – the classes
that made me think about who I am and what kind of Christian I
want to be. I am now leading that Christian life and displaying
it for my children and family.” |
