HHS Grad Wants to Teach

College of Education
 
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SUMMARY: Cam’Ron Stuart, a 2020 graduate of Harrisonburg High School, faced a number of challenges graduating from high school during the pandemic, but he channeled that frustration into a determination to finish his high school career and go to college to become a teacher himself.


There are a lot of high school students who lost their way a bit at the end of the 2020 school year. That is to be expected with the onset of COVID-19 and mandatory shutdowns all over the country. While Cam’Ron Stuart, a 2020 graduate of Harrisonburg High School, faced a number of challenges like many of his peers, he channeled that frustration into a determination to finish his high school career and go to college to become a teacher himself.

Missing out on many of the quintessential high school experiences, such as senior prom and walking across the stage at graduation was difficult for Stuart, but it made him appreciate that everyone faces struggles and challenges. He also realized how hard his teachers were working to help their students cope with those struggles. Inspired by their hard work he was further validated in his desire to become a teacher.

Despite the frustrations of his senior year, Stuart was accepted into an impressive 23 colleges and universities throughout Virginia and beyond. He says that James Madison stood at number one on his list no matter what other offers he received. He has long wanted to be a Duke, especially after a number of field trips to campus and attending various football and basketball games here. It also helps that JMU is close to home and close to his favorite burger, The Chiflet at Jack Browns downtown.

When Stuart thinks about being a teacher he sees himself as a positive and grounding influence for the students in his future classroom. He says his teachers in high school were always there for him and easy to talk to. He hopes to offer that same accessibility to his students. He says the Book Wonder by R. J. Palacio has also help shaped his future classroom. “[Wonder] allows people to realize what people who have disabilities go through and [see] things from their perspective.”

Stuart’s senior year of high school may have taken place during one of the most difficult times in recent history, but he has used that hardship to push him forward and to serve others.

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Published: Sunday, February 14, 2021

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 3, 2023

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