Laura Harkness '14, B.Ed., Consecutive Bachelor of Education, Smithville, Ontario

After completing her undergraduate degree in English Literature and Cultural Studies at Trent University, Laura found she couldn’t tear herself away from the small town feel of the Peterborough campus which is why she came back to complete her Bachelor of Education Intermediate/Senior program as an English and Drama teacher candidate.

Interested in teaching since a young child, it was Laura’s experience with her undergraduate teachers that solidified her vision of the future.  “The relationship I developed with my teachers and the respect they showed for their students brought that interest back to the forefront of my mind,” recalls Laura.  “I saw the passion my professors taught with every day and wish to bring that to the students I will hopefully teach one day.”

Laura says that Trent allowed her to connect with professors, voice her thoughts and opinions and be heard as an individual instead. She believes Trent gave her the chance to try multiple types of teaching from tutoring to the classroom and alternative styles.  Her education enabled her to discover the type of teacher she wants to be.

“Trent has allowed me to figure out who I was as an individual,” stated Laura.  “I wouldn’t and couldn’t just become another number in the system.  Instead, I developed my own thoughts and opinions and learned how to stand behind my beliefs and recognize those of another person.”

Laura treasured the camaraderie from her fellow teacher candidates and enjoyed being surrounded by so many familiar faces in classes, the halls, and downtown. “Trent was never about the classes of 500 where you were just a number,” reveals Laura.  “We were all people that mattered.”

Going forward Laura hopes to travel and teach abroad. She would like to gain some teaching experience in the United Kingdom.  She says, “I hope that I will be able to use my degree to pass along the passion that I have seen and felt from my professors and peers.”

Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:

• Innovation in Teaching Award (2015)
• Trent National Renewable Entrance Scholarship (2010-2014)

Extracurricular activities:

• Executive Member and Coordinator, Theatre Trent (2012-2014)
• Actor, Executive Member and Production Team Member, Anne Shirley Theatre Company (2010-2014)