Written by Tiane Davis // Photo provided by Abi Schliffka
During Harding’s spring break, a group of students did not get the privilege of a week off from classes. The students working as student teachers were left behind to wait for their own week off from classes, as their schools have different dates for spring break.
Senior Abi Schliffka, a student teacher at Ahlf Junior High School in Searcy, said her break does not start until March 19. Since her sister is also a Harding student, she said it was strange knowing her sister was hours away from Harding while she was still in Searcy.
“At the same time, I quite enjoyed staying here for my internship because it felt like I could do things at my own pace and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of campus without it being filled with students,” Schliffka said. “But if Harding is willing to give an extra spring break to just me and my sister so we can hang out together, that would be fabulous.”
Schliffka said she would like it if Harding’s spring break aligned with other schools in town because it would open up more possibilities for everyone, including the teachers.
“In my opinion, if Harding had the same spring break as the public schools, it would make more sense since it is closer to spring, and student teachers would have the same opportunity as other students to go on spring break mission trips and plan mini-vacations with friends who may not be education majors,” Schliffka said.
Schliffka said even though it is inconvenient to have a different spring break from Harding, there are still several benefits to it.
“There is value in being able to find contentment in your own company, and when I got home from my internship every day, I realized that this was a lesson that I had no idea that I needed,” Schliffka said. “During Harding’s break I also found time to meet up with others who stayed on campus during their break, so I felt like I could bond with them in that sense and deepen those friendships.”
Senior Hannah Hillier, who has been student teaching at Cabot Junior High School North and Cabot Freshman Academy, said she is planning on traveling with her sister for spring break, but that it would be more convenient for her if Harding had the same spring break as other schools nearby.
“I would love it if Harding had the same spring break as local schools,” Hillier said. “It would give me the opportunity to spend time with my fiancè and friends.”
Hillier said when she graduates and has a different spring break from Harding again, it will still affect her.
“My fiancè will still be in college, so we will have two different spring breaks, which is disappointing because we would love to do something together for spring break,” Hillier said.
Senior Kelsey Drumheller, an art student teacher at Cabot Freshman Academy, said everyone in her family works full-time, so the dates of her spring break did not make much of a difference. She said it probably would help if Harding had the same spring break as other schools, however.
“I feel if Harding and local schools had spring break at the same time, it would help with any time conflicts for certain people,” Drumheller said. “Going on spring break at a later time won’t really affect me, but it would be nice if everyone had the same break.”
