Allie Harris
Two things Allie Harris didn’t get to see before graduating from Ohio University: the inside of her student teaching classroom and the world.
But that’s about to change.
“I want to spread my horizons and really try to see the world,” says Harris, who majored in both French and French Education, with a minor in Psychology.
COVID disrupted her student-teaching, and her study abroad plans.
“I have worked through the challenges of the pandemic because I was an online student teacher while my students were in person with their teacher. I have had to find new ways to keep the students’ attention while teaching them the French language. I have developed different ways to have the students fully immerse themselves while they are in the classroom, but it has been challenging to say the least.
“I have learned a lot through this experience, and it has helped me grow as a person and as an educator.”
Q: What stands out in your mind as you think about graduating despite COVID?
A. I am excited for all the opportunities that are ahead in my life. I can travel, work, and really find my place in the world. I want to spread my horizons and really try to see the world.
Q: What are your next steps/future plans?
A. I plan on finding a job where I can teach French to students. I also am looking for opportunities to travel abroad to France, because I lost out on my study abroad experience.
Q: Who were your favorite professors and how did they make an impact on your life?
A. My favorite professors here are Dr. Dominique Duvert and Dr. Yolande Helm from the French program. They not only passed on life lessons through their teaching but also deep understandings of the French language.
Q: What was your ah-ha moment at OHIO—that point where you said to yourself, “I’ve got this!”?
A. When I could easily go through my coursework and not feel overwhelmed. Being able to feel confident in my work and understand all the ins and outs of college was helpful. Especially in my French classes, when something clicks, I feel excited and ready for the next challenge.
Q: What was the hardest hill you had to climb (not counting Jeff Hill) at OHIO? And how did you overcome challenges or obstacles in your path?
A. This past year has been a really big hill to climb personally. COVID-19 has changed a lot in the world, and it has been very difficult to navigate. Finding out how to go through my senior year and my student teaching in a virtual setting has tested me and helped me grow as a person and an educator.
Q: What are your favorite OHIO memories?
A. All the memories that I have with my friends. They are the people closest to me, and they have been there through all the ups and downs of my college experience. They really made Ohio University feel like home.
Q: What’s the one thing you would tell a new OHIO student not to miss?
A. I would tell them not to miss getting involved on campus. I have met some of my closest friends through campus orgs and events. Putting yourself out there is one of the most important things.
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