Elementary education student Katie Collett wants to become the kind of teacher who made a difference in her life, and EKU Manchester is helping her prepare for her future in the community she calls home.
“Manchester is where I grew up, where I discovered what I wanted to do with my life, and now, through EKU Manchester, it is also where I have been able to work toward that dream,” said Katie Collett, a senior elementary education major at EKU. “There is something special about being able to earn my degree in the same community that shaped who I am. I am proud of where I come from, and I am grateful that EKU has given me the opportunity to pursue my goals while staying connected to the people and place that mean so much to me.”
Inspired by the teachers she had growing up—who believed in her and recognized her potential—Collett wants to do the same for others and one day become a teacher in her home of Clay County, Kentucky.
“EKU is proud to prepare students for careers that are important to their communities,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “In rural Kentucky, where schools are among the largest employers, preparing and placing educators close to home has a lasting effect on students and communities.”
Collett’s goal reflects EKU’s broader role in preparing teachers for Kentucky classrooms. Three years after graduation, 78.8% of EKU education graduates are employed in Kentucky. That commitment is especially visible in Clay County, where EKU graduates are helping students succeed in the classroom. Earlier this year, Paces Creek Elementary and Burning Springs Elementary were among five Kentucky schools recognized for beating expectations in third-grade reading. Dr. Connie Hodge, EKU extended campuses education coordinator, noted that many of the teachers and principals at these schools are EKU graduates.
Recognizing the impact of Clay County teachers in her own life, Collett said, “I truly believe that teachers are the makers of all other professions, because every person starts somewhere, and there is usually a teacher along the way who helped them believe in themselves and what they can be.”
Attending EKU Manchester has allowed Collett to pursue EKU’s education program while staying close to her family and community. She appreciates the small class sizes, close-knit environment and support from faculty and staff.
She also received scholarships to EKU, helping the first-generation college student stay focused on her coursework and prepare for her future career.
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Collett plans to begin her career as a classroom teacher and continue her education with a master’s degree. She wants to give back to her home community through education and teach in Clay County.
“I especially want my students to understand that growing up in a small, rural community does not determine how far they can go in life,” she said. “I want them to be proud of where they come from while also encouraging them to dream big, work hard and recognize the opportunities available to them.”
EKU Manchester, located in Clay County, offers general education requirements, as well as full degree programs, such as elementary education.
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