The seven teachers that comprise the third-grade team in the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District in Vinton, Iowa, all share a special bond. Not only do they connect as educators in the same community, but they all can trace their roots back to the top producer of teachers in the state: the University of Northern Iowa. They share the same foundation through UNI Teacher Education — and a special affinity for donning UNI gear on Panther Fridays.

“I think there is a sense of pride and respect for one another,” said Shelley Haisman, a 1995 grad. “When you meet a teacher who has graduated from UNI, there is a sense that you know they are going to do a great job because they have been well trained.”

A love for working with children drew many of these seven teachers to the profession. Haisman and Abbie Marion both fondly recall playing school as children where they took on the roles of teacher. Others came from families of teachers.

Family also played a role in the choice to attend UNI for the Vinton-Shellsburg clan. Katie Hoeger is a third-generation UNI alum, with both her grandparents and her dad graduating from UNI.

“I grew up with a family of teachers,” said Hoeger, a 2019 UNI alum. “My grandparents were educators, and my parents are educators. I spent tons of time in classrooms with them. I loved to see how excited students got when they were successful. I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of in a kid's life.”

Laurie Hyland came to UNI as a non-traditional student. She chose UNI because it was an easy commute for her from Vinton, but she also had family who had gone to UNI. Her grandma and aunt were both UNI-educated teachers.

“UNI is a legacy for my family,” said Hyland, a 1993 alum. “Not only did my grandma and aunt attend, my cousin, sister, sister-in-law, son, daughter and cousin's daughter all attended. My grandma, aunt, sister, sister-in-law and cousin's daughter are all teachers. We are proud of our UNI roots!”

Hyland and two of her fellow third-grade teachers also have children studying at UNI. Even the principal has a daughter attending UNI. Several of the teachers also met their spouses at UNI.

Of course, as aspiring teachers, selecting UNI as the training ground for their professions seemed like the obvious choice, given the institution’s rich history of preparing educators. And for all of these teachers, it was clearly the right choice.

“With the smaller class sizes, the instructors got to know us,” said Shelly Patterson, who graduated in 1993. “When I would go back for conferences, they would remember my name.  They also got us into the classrooms as much as possible. That is the best way to get prepared for your own classroom — the experience in the elementary classrooms.”

“After leaving UNI and getting my first teaching job in Sedalia, Missouri, I felt very prepared,” said Haisman. “Obviously, I had a lot to learn, but UNI gave me so many different field experiences and classes that helped prepare me and give me the confidence I needed to be successful.”

Whether they’ve been in the profession for four years or 31 years, each of these teachers has faced challenges in their professions. But on the hard days, they come back to their love for their students and the rewards of seeing them grow.  For Marion, a 2007 alum, having positive relationships with her co-workers such as her fellow UNI alums is something else that has made her want to stay in her career path.

Now, these teachers are helping prepare the next generation of educators in their classrooms. 

“I have worked with students from a variety of colleges,” said Hyland. “The students who come from UNI seem to be the most prepared. They don't hesitate to jump in and help. They see things that need to be done and then they do them.” 

These UNI-educated teachers don’t hesitate to recommend UNI to students wanting to follow in their footsteps.

“There are great professors and coordinators that really want you to succeed and be successful in the teaching profession,” said Michelle Strub, a 2018 alum.