UMO Graduate to Teach at SWHS
UMO Graduate to Teach at SWHS
MOUNT OLIVE- Mount Olive Resident Jenny Hall graduated with a degree in English education from the University of Mount Olive this past May. It didn’t take long for Hall to experience the benefits of her degree as she has already landed a teaching position at Southern Wayne High School (SWHS) and has been accepted into North Carolina State’s graduate school.
Hall began her journey at UMO before she even became a student. Growing up in Wayne County, she always visited the campus and attended basketball games.
“I looked into other colleges around North Carolina, but Mount Olive is home,” smiled Hall. “I didn’t think I needed to move away for college. I knew that at UMO I would be a name, not just a number.”
During her time at UMO, Hall flourished in her academics thanks to the dedicated support of the English and education departments. She also served as president of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society and gained professional experience through numerous on-campus jobs. She worked as a peer academic leader for Supplemental Instruction (SI), as a writing coach for the Writing Center, and as work-study student.
“My work experience at UMO helped prepare me for my future,” explained Hall. “My SI students showed me that I can instill knowledge while allowing learners to have fun at the same time. The Writing Center also proved that I can effectively encourage students through the writing process.”
Hall completed her student teaching at Rosewood High School, graduated in May, and began job searching. She was willing to teach anywhere in North Carolina, but was excited to hear that there was an opening at SWHS.
“I have not always claimed I wanted to, but a part of me always knew I’d go home to the Southern Wayne Saints,” smiled Hall as she prepares to teach freshmen English next year.
Within the same week that she was hired at SWHS, Hall also received the news that she was accepted into NC State’s graduate school. She is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction focused on new literacies and global learning in secondary English.
“This program will not only benefit my content knowledge, but also my research and technological knowledge, all of which I can take to the classroom,” said Hall. “I’m climbing the ladder. When I finish my master’s degree, I want a doctorate in administration. I’m keeping the door open for any level of teaching, secondary or beyond. I’m also keeping the door open to become a principal in the future. UMO provided me with the opportunity to make all of this happen.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.
