麻豆视频

Elementary Education

Heather Gallaway is pursuing her degree in elementary education at 麻豆视频’s Wilmington campus to expand her knowledge in the ever-evolving field.

“I’ve been in education for 30 years, working in various roles from lead teacher in pre-K to curriculum coordinator and special education paraeducator,” Gallaway said. “Choosing elementary and special education as my major was a logical next step. I am passionate about education and love knowing that I am making a difference.”

Gallaway chose to attend Delaware Tech after receiving the Grow Your Own Grant, a scholarship designed to address teacher shortages and promote workplace diversity by supporting aspiring educators. While at the College, Gallaway found that balancing her responsibilities as a student came with some challenges. When she enrolled, she was also caring for her mother, who later relocated to an assisted living facility in Pittsburgh. At the same time, her daughter and grandchildren moved to Alabama, all while she worked full-time as a long-term substitute in a self-contained classroom for students with autism.

Despite these challenges, Gallaway thrived. In October, she was nominated by the Brandywine School District as the Support Person of the Year for the state of Delaware. By January, she was elected president of the AFT Federation Union Local 762 after serving 15 years as secretary.

Since starting at Delaware Tech, Gallaway says she has become more structured, organized, and persistent in achieving her goals. She has also built meaningful friendships with fellow students who share similar experiences and aspirations.

One of her favorite courses so far has been Literacy for English Language Learners with Samanta Lopez.

“Ms. Lopez created an engaging learning environment that helped me understand the diverse perspectives of English language learners,” Gallaway said. “I also noticed parallels between language acquisition in these students and those with autism. I immediately implemented the strategies I learned in my current classroom, enhancing my instructional practices.”

Gallaway’s advice for fellow students is to stay focused, build connections, and take advantage of every opportunity Delaware Tech offers.

After graduation, she plans to return to Claymont Elementary as a teacher and possibly pursue an autism specialist certification. Gallaway’s long-term goal is to become a curriculum developer and coordinator, specializing in creating educational experiences for non-verbal students with autism.