At the beginning of this school year, we were more than lucky to welcome a new teacher to our AHA community, Ms. Bearson. Her journey to AHA started in May 2024, when she began reaching out to schools as part of her graduate program. She sent an email to Mrs. Foley to introduce herself and the program she was in. After that, things began to move quickly. Mrs. Foley responded the same day and scheduled a meeting with her and Mr. Unverzagt for when she arrived back from Omaha, where she is attending college. The meeting went well, and with a thumbs-up from Mrs. Foley, the opportunity to student teach at AHA was set.
Bearson is originally from Minnesota, so she was already familiar with AHA and even had friends who attended the Academy. The familiarity made the transition smoother. “I’ve had so much fun here,” she shared. “It’s been such a great experience.”
When she first started, she approached the year with an open mind and minimal experience. What she found was a warm and welcoming environment filled with supportive teachers and engaging students. When friends and family ask about her experience, she says it’s the students who make the job so enjoyable. She’s formed many connections and speaks highly of the AHA staff and community.
When asked about her biggest challenges and rewards of teaching, Bearson said that one of the biggest challenges she faced was re-learning content from her own high school days in order to teach it effectively. But she embraced the challenge and found joy in making lessons both fun and educational. The longer she’s taught, the more natural it has become.
Bearson has had a long road to teaching and continues on her journey. She is currently in an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She started her coursework in June 2024 and is set to graduate in May 2025. The program is rigorous, but supportive faculty and friends, who share in her journey, have made the experience meaningful. Though the program is based in Omaha, the flexibility of Zoom meetings and regular professor check-ins has helped her stay connected.
Her path to teaching wasn’t always clear. In high school, she was heavily involved in a biomedical science program for three years and initially planned to pursue a medical career. But in 10th grade, a teacher changed everything. That teacher, who also coached her in soccer and taught English, inspired her to consider education. “She was relatable, cool, and made class fun,” Bearson recalled. Encouraged to take AP Language and Literature, she stepped out of her comfort zone and never looked back. She later served as a teaching assistant and even attended her mentor’s wedding, staying in touch and gaining valuable insight into the profession. That relationship helped Bearson discover a passion for learning English and working with high school students, especially juniors, whom she describes as “such a fun age group.”
After switching majors from biomedical engineering, she found herself on a fulfilling path toward education. With graduation around the corner, she feels confident in her decision and excited for what’s ahead.
