Amanda Holland and Melanie Schmitt bring teaching and field experience to FCSE department
Melanie Schmitt
What degrees and/or certifications do you have?
- Bachelor of Science, Family and Consumer Sciences Education (Harding University)
- Master of Science, Family and Consumer Sciences (University of Central Arkansas)
- Graduate Certificate, Youth Development Specialist (Texas Tech University)
- Current Doctoral Candidate (Expected Degree Date May 2022) Family and Consumer Sciences Education (Texas Tech University)
Why did you choose to enter the field of family and consumer sciences? Why education?
I've always had a passion for family and consumer sciences. My first experiences were in 4-H as an elementary student and then I was able to take FCS courses and become involved in FCCLA in high school. When I was made aware of the degree option for FCS Education at Harding, I knew I had found my true calling. I've always believed that the skills taught in FCS were valuable and I wanted to be able to teach what I love to others.
What do you love most about higher education?
I spent sixteen years in the secondary FCS classroom so the transition to higher education has been quite a bit different. My favorite thing about teaching in higher education is the fact that my students are there because they want to be. They share a passion for the field that I love. It makes my job so rewarding to see them get excited about their future careers in FCS!
What do you want your students to walk away knowing from your classes?
I want them to walk away knowing that they have chosen a field that will always be valuable. We have a very rich history in our profession, and they should be proud of the career decision they have made. I hope they know that the TTU FCSE faculty will be there to continue to support them as they enter the classroom or the workforce and as they go throughout their careers.
What do you want students to know in general about skills learned in your courses or the field? (what do you wish more people knew about the profession, etc.)
We are not just "stitching and stirring." We provide our students with real-world skills that they can use no matter what path they choose. Even though the profession has been around for a long time, it continues to adapt to meet the continuously changing needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Why did you choose Texas Tech for your current position?
I have been in the FCSE doctoral program at Texas Tech since 2017. Although it has been through a distance until now, TTU has given me more opportunities and more passion for my field than ever. I knew that if I had the opportunity, this is where I wanted to be, and I feel so blessed to be here!
Amanda Holland
What degrees and/or certifications do you have?
I have degrees from Appalachian State University (BS), East Carolina University (M.Ed.), and Texas Tech University (Ph.D.), all in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I am certified to teach Family and Consumer Sciences to grades 6-12.
Why did you choose to enter the field of family and consumer sciences? Why education?
I chose family and consumer sciences because I was heavily involved in both FCS and the organization Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America when I was in middle and high school. I loved the classes, content, and my FCS teacher. It was a natural progression to follow her into the profession of teaching FCS. While I was in college at Appalachian State my teacher educator was kind and understanding, but also taught me so much about teaching. So it was then I decided to be a teacher educator in the future. I love teaching other people how and what to teach, while also making sure that they are developing into good human beings.
What do you love most about higher education?
I love being able to be flexible in what and how I teach. When I was teaching high school there was a lot of pressure to cover all the material because we had state tests at the end of the semester. Now, I can structure my courses to best meet the needs of my students instead of worrying about the test at the end of the semester. We still cover all the material but can delve into student interests at the same time.
What do you want your students to walk away knowing from your classes?
I teach so many different subjects right now that this is a hard question to answer. At the end of the day, I want my students to know that family and consumer sciences is an all-encompassing subject that is people-centered. I want them to be prepared to be teachers in classrooms, whether that be a formal or informal space.
What do you want students to know in general about skills learned in your courses or the field? (what do you wish more people knew about the profession, etc.)
I want more people to know that every discipline present in the COHS is part of family and consumer sciences. From interior design to counseling and addiction recovery sciences, every discipline is in the business of helping people better their lives. I specifically want students to know that they are in a cross-disciplinary field with multiple options for their future careers.
Why did you choose Texas Tech for your current position?
I chose Texas Tech for this current position because the FCS program is amazing, and has a long-standing history of exemplary teacher education. I loved my time on campus during graduate school but didn't fully appreciate it until I moved to Kentucky to be a teacher educator there. When the opportunity presented itself to return to Tech, I jumped at the chance to come back home to Texas.