Following in similar footsteps as her mom, Whitli Walthall is a UCA senior hoping to make a difference in the life of children through a degree in special education.
Walthall chose this major after becoming close to a family friend with Down syndrome. She was inspired to pursue a career that would help meet the needs of children like that friend.
Though she is just now wrapping up her undergraduate degree, Walthall has been able to watch her mom be an educator, learning from her as well.
Dr. Brandy Walthall works in the department of Elementary, Literacy and Special Education in the College of Education at UCA.
“Growing up, [my mom] was a kindergarten teacher at my school. Seeing her love and passion for teaching really inspired me. Having a class with her in college was definitely nice because I got to watch her in her element. It’s clear that she loves her job,” Walthall said.
Walthall credits her mom with having great traditions that she plans to implement with her own students, such as dressing up as book characters to make the stories come alive.
Walthall has already started planning for her career as a teacher. She has a social media account dedicated to her future profession. The Instagram account features facts about herself, books she plans to keep in her future classroom library, teacher deals she finds at different stores and outfits she plans to wear on the job.
“I created my teacher Instagram when I started accumulating a bunch of teacher stuff. I love posting teacher outfits, new books and fun ideas for my future classroom,” Walthall said.
During her final semester at UCA, Walthall is most excited to help lead a classroom and get a taste of what her future holds.
“I’m really excited to go to an elementary school every single day. I can’t wait to meet all of my wonderful students,” Walthall said.
One of the best classroom lessons Walthall has learned so far is to have a positive outlook on every situation and to learn to move on. She recognizes the ways her attitude affects her students.
“I try to start every single day with a positive attitude. Each day is a new day. The day before should not ruin the day after,” Walthall said. “When working with students, that’s a great mindset. Children are constantly learning, so if they do something to upset you, don’t come in the next day with an upset attitude.”
Walthall said that “the next day should be the new day. You’ve already talked to the student about that behavior so there’s no need to hold a grudge any longer. If you go in with a negative attitude, that will distance your relationship with that child, which will cause them to stop learning from you.”
Once she graduates, the College of Education student plans to find a special education job outside of Arkansas.
Walthall also plans to further her education with a Master’s degree, though she is unsure of what she wants to study yet.
