Jennifer and her husband Michael, who enjoy traveling, pose at Long Beach, Ca.

Positive Relationships and Mutual Respect are Vital to Learning

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

With 24 years of education experience, Jennifer Hardin is excited to have just completed her first year as part of the TTU K-12 family. She teaches the dyslexia and reading remediation groups as well as reading intervention groups.

“When I was in brick-and-mortar elementary schools, I taught 1st grade and 2nd grade all subjects, and 5th grade ELAR,” she explained. “Most recently I taught at the university level where I prepared undergraduate preservice teachers primarily in literacy courses and graduate students in curriculum and instruction.”

Hardin was a professor at Lubbock Christian University in the School of Education for nine years. She earned her Master's degree and Ph.D. from Texas Tech. She and her husband moved during the pandemic, and when the opportunity came to continue teaching for TTU K-12 online, she said it seemed like a wonderful opportunity. She says she has learned much about connecting with students and teaching in an online format. However, she sees at least one significant challenge in the online environment.

“It is difficult to not be able to physically help students,” she said. “This shows up in handwriting by not guiding new writers’ hands, patting students on the back when they have made a good effort or handing them a tool they might need. I have learned to partner with learning coaches to achieve goals and then let them be the hands that I cannot be. I have also found online resources and tools in place of the physical tools I used to use.”

Hardin also believes that a positive relationship and mutual respect are the beginning of learning.

“Children need to be heard and cared for first. When this happens, great learning can be achieved,” she continued. “I love connecting with children and helping them find joy in learning. They always have unique perspectives on life and brighten my day. Being an educator also means I never stop learning.”

As an educator, Hardin offers teamwork as personal advice for students (or parents of the younger ones).

“Make connections. If your teacher has a tutoring group, join it, and meet your classmates. Reach out to your teacher when you need help. No one is meant to learn alone. We are a team and we can learn together.”