Hannah Shirey ’22 went to elementary school and then came home for more “school.” Her basement was her classroom, complete with desks, whiteboards, posters, and a pointer stick. Shirey said her decision to become a teacher never wavered and was even reinforced in high school.

“I was in ninth grade English class, and we had a long-term substitute teacher for half the school year. Her name was Miss Miller, and she was fresh out of college. She was so enthusiastic about teaching English, and one day as she was writing on the whiteboard, I vividly remember looking at her and thinking, ‘I want to be just like Miss Miller one day.’”

Shirey’s career started in the same role as Miss Miller. Shirey, an English major with a secondary education certification, was hired as a long-term substitute teacher for eighth-grade English at Palmyra Area School District, the same place where she student taught during her final semester.

“Student teaching was by far the most rewarding and useful experience I had throughout my entire time at LVC. While my professors taught me a lot and prepared me for the classroom, student teaching and my host teacher’s advice proved most valuable.”

Shirey bonded with her host teacher Sara Robinson and formed strong connections with the students in that classroom.

“Going to Palmyra High School to teach every day was like a dream,” she said. “It was everything I could have asked for and more! My students were amazing and encouraged me to be the best teacher possible.”

A few of Shirey’s students even made the short trip to campus to catch some of her LVC field hockey games. She was part of the 2019 team that advanced to the Middle Atlantic Commonwealth Conference and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship games. She said her time with teammates is what she treasures most.

“Participating in the Dutchmen Dance-Off each year was something I enjoyed tremendously,” she said. “The bus rides to and from away games, especially after we won, were loads of fun, too. The field hockey team has so many traditions that make our team extremely unique and memorable.”

Shirey balanced her academic and athletic commitments along with various student activities to make the most of her time at LVC. She graduated a semester early with a 4.0 GPA, served as an editor of the College’s newspaper, a writing tutor, and a first-year mentor, to name a few. She also participated in LVC’s Dutchmen First program for first-generation college students.

Reflecting on her decision to enroll at LVC, Shirey shared that it was a combination of circumstances that aligned.

“I ultimately chose LVC because of the scholarship and financial aid I was offered,” said Shirey. “For me, LVC was actually the most inexpensive school I was interested in, and I believed that it would best prepare me for a career in teaching. And, on top of that, I could continue playing hockey, so I was sold!”

Shirey transitioned from her substitute role in Palmyra to a full-time high school English at her alma mater, Cedar Crest High School.