ANC Student Snapshot - December 2019 - Erika Hastings

ANC Student Snapshot recipient for December 2019, Erika Hastings

𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘

𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦, 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲, 𝗠𝗢

Arkansas Northeastern College is proud to announce Erika Hastings as one of its Student Snapshot Recipients for December. Erika is a Childhood Education Major from Steele, Missouri and was nominated by ANC Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Education Ryan Perkins.

“From the beginning, when I met her, she knew her degree plan and what she has to do. She always puts maximum effort into her assignments and sets the bar many times each week. She is always enthusiastic and has a very contagious attitude. Erika is going to make an excellent teacher in the near future,” said Perkins.

Erika is a very good example of how students can meet their goals in a timely way if they have a plan from the beginning. ANC provides excellent advising to help students find the appropriate educational track so that they are in the classes they need each semester. Erika is a very motivated student who began pursuing her goals early and should complete her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood this spring. “I am 19 years old. I plan to graduate ANC in the Spring of 2020 then plan to transfer and work towards my bachelor’s degree. I graduated from South Pemiscot in 2018. I work part-time as a bank teller which I have been with for a year while I attend ANC full time,” said Hastings who said she chose her major because she always wanted to be a teacher. “When I was growing up I always wanted to be a teacher or an accountant. It was always between those two majors and when I started getting older I just knew teaching is something I would enjoy more.”

Since taking education classes, her love for the field has only grown. She credits Perkins for providing guidance to keep students engaged and help them understand what it will be like as a teacher in the classroom.

“My favorite class so far has been Intro to Teaching with Mr. Ryan Perkins. I took this class this semester, and it was a great class for beginners wanting to become a teacher. This is where you complete your field I observation when becoming a teacher and you get placed at a school (he aims for your choice if possible) and you have to observe 30 hours and even get to teach a mini-lesson to the grade that you are planning on teaching. It gives a more hands-on experience and helps you decide if teaching is really something you want to do.”

While Perkins sings Hasting’s accolades, he is not the only one to notice her excel. These opportunities for her to observe in the classroom have also proven to be an opportunity for her to be observed as well.

“Erika’s cooperating teacher at her field one placement in Armorel sought me out just to tell me how amazing she is. She said that Erika always asks the right questions, seeks knowledge, and is going to make a very good teacher one day. She was so glad Erika was placed with her for the field one experience. So, she is making herself known not only here at ANC, but in our community and schools that ANC networks with,” said Perkins.

Hastings, who bolsters a 3.85 grade point average chose ANC because it was close to home and offered her the best options to reach her educational goals. She offers advice for other students considering college.

“My advice for students trying to decide where to attend college is to stick with your gut feeling. Choose the college that has the best benefits to offer. Never choose a college just because someone else wants you to go there, do what is best for you!”