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Holly Maynard always knew she wanted to work with children. Growing up in a big family surrounded by younger siblings and cousins, she quickly discovered a love for helping others learn.
“Being able to impact their learning just felt perfect for me,” she said.
At Ohio University Southern , she pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education , where real-world experience shaped her path.
“Attending a campus with professors who have been in a classroom verified every feeling I had about becoming an educator,” Maynard said. “I will forever be grateful for all the professors that I had—some of the best.”
Dr. Kevin Deitle, one of her professors, had a particularly strong influence on her philosophy of education.
“He has a unique outlook on education that broadened my philosophy of teaching,” she said. “In his classes, discussions helped us weigh the pros and cons of educational topics. I feel I learned the most through those conversations.”
Maynard’s favorite memory from OHIO Southern came from a field trip to the Columbus Zoo, where students from several campuses worked together to create lesson plans using the zoo’s resources. Experiences like that, paired with clinical fieldwork, gave her the confidence she needed to move from student to teacher.
Although Maynard initially feared stepping into the classroom, clinical experiences beginning in her sophomore year helped ease those nerves.
“After starting a clinical experience, I felt so confident in my resources,” she said. “It allowed me to be prepared.”
Maynard plans to pursue a local teaching position while also preparing for major milestones outside the classroom, including her wedding in September and building a new home.
She encourages future students not to shy away from asking questions.
“This is information that will make you a better student and future educator,” she said. “Asking a question should never be a fear—only an opportunity to learn.”
Now a graduate, Maynard emphasized the importance of having a strong local university preparing the next generation of educators.
“I am proud our area has a great university that will build our community and add more positive, influential role models for our students,” she said.