Teachers On and Off the Field
4/8/2009 6:44:00 PM | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern softball players Jordyn Nail (Swainsboro, Ga.) and Kristan Glover (Evans, Ga.) have spent time in the classroom helping educate local K-12 students. They are at opposite ends of the education spectrum, one at the beginning the other the end, but both look to be teachers one day.
Glover is majoring in early childhood education and helps teach third graders language arts at Julia P. Bryant Elementary.
“I knew that I wanted to work with kids but was unsure what I wanted to do at first. After being in the classroom a few times, I decided that I wanted to teach,” said the junior pitcher. “Young kids are so impressionable and need role models in their lives. I want to be that person who tells them that they can do whatever they want as long as they put their minds to it.”
Teaching at the beginning of the education process allows Glover to show kids that education can be fun. “When they see their teacher as a positive role model, it helps the students to see education in a more positive light; and it helps them throughout their whole school career,” said Glover.
Nail spends her days back in high school teaching math to 10th-12th graders at Effingham County High School. For Nail teaching was not always the dream, but a role model in the form of a teacher came along and changed that. “I had always loved math but did not enjoy school that much until I had a really good teacher, Ms. Durden, who helped me like school. After that I started to care about education and realized that I wanted to help kids like she did,” said the senior outfielder.
The Swainsboro native faces the usual high school challenges and tries to help her students have a vision and plan for the future. “My goal is to try to motivate my students to see that education is key. I want them to be able to have a successful future and go to college,” said Nail.
Softball has helped Nail and Glover with their teaching and helps them be role models to their students. “I have had to work hard to get to where I am, and I feel that if one of my students is struggling in the classroom I can relate to them,” said Nail. “Softball has taught me dedication and hard work. I am passionate about softball just like I am about teaching. It has been difficult trying to play and get through the teaching program, but I have learned to be determined and to get through it. It will be worth it just like in softball. Practice may be tough but getting through it to game day is worth it,” said Glover.
Glover, Nail and the rest of the Georgia Southern softball team will be in action this weekend at Elon.
