Amanda Peart, a military spouse, has been a substitute teacher since 2009, allowing her to have a flexible work schedule at each PCS duty station.
“I’m pursing a teacher certification because as a substitute teacher, you get paid more if you’re certified,” she said last week at a Mini College Fair hosted by the Education Center. “I’m pursing that in lieu of maybe having my own classroom someday.”
Peart was among at least 25 people who stopped by the Pershing Welcome Center on July 23 to get information from representatives from the three on-post partner colleges – Adrienne Waters Bumbray, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Huntsville campus director; Amber Martinez, assistant director of admissions/recruiting with Athens State University; and Chase Buckelew, Columbia College’s student success coach at Redstone Arsenal.
“I’m so happy with the turnout,” the most of any previous college fair, said Jennifer Anderson, Redstone’s education services specialist. The event was open to Soldiers, civilians, contractors, family members and veterans. Anderson plans to continue holding the college fairs quarterly, with the next one to be scheduled sometime in October.
Latrece Mallory, an information technician at the Regional Network Enterprise Center at Redstone, checked out degree programs in several fields and how they’re offered – in-person, virtualy or a hybrid mix.
“I’m trying to weigh my options,” she said.
Some younger participants also picked up brochures and talked to representatives from the schools.
Nineteen-year-old Manish Mathew, who graduated high school this year, was looking for options to pursue his interest in drawing and animation. Manish, the son of Fox Army Health Center Commander Lt. Col. Deepak Mathew, wants to pursue a bachelor’s of fine arts in animation.
Katie Lee, 17, a senior home-schooled student, wanted information about the schools’ business degree options.
“I want to be a nail tech and start my own business,” she said.
The Education Center, located in Toftoy Hall, building 3495 on Patton Road, offers personalized academic counseling, free Army personnel testing services, GI Bill information, financial aid opportunities and college and career guidance.
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