My name is Jeremy Harris and I am a Social Studies Education major from Spiro, Oklahoma. Spiro is a very small town in eastern Oklahoma. It is known for the Spiro Mounds, which many people in this part of the state have never heard of, unfortunately. This is my third semester at OU and I will have another three semesters before I graduate, although I am classified as a Senior. That's what happens when you change your major.
My first major was Physical Education and my second major was pre-Pharmacy. Once I remembered that I do not like math and science, I decided to take a break from school and enlisted in the Marine Corps. I joined in 2012 and completed my contract in 2016. I was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California as a part of 2nd Battalion 4th Marines.
After my second deployment, I was given the opportunity to be an instructor at Urban Leaders Course where I acquired valuable, first-hand experience for my future profession. I have always wanted to coach football, hence my first major being Physical Education, but the experience of actually teaching classes solidified my decision to become a Social Studies teacher. It didn't hurt that I have always enjoyed many of the disciplines of Social Studies, mainly history and geography.
Upon graduation, I plan to teach and coach in the Oklahoma City or Tulsa area. Ideally, I will be at a large school, but I could see myself at a slightly smaller school if the right opportunity presents itself. I highly doubt I will be at a school as small as Spiro, however.
I have a strong interest in most sports, especially football and basketball, and was a three sport athlete in high school, many years ago. Aside from that, I enjoy hiking and other various physical activities. I also enjoy traveling when I have the opportunity. Over the summer I visited Panama City Beach, Florida, Washington D.C., and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all places that I had not previously been to.
I hope you have enjoyed reading a little about me and I look forward to reading about you.
(Signing the guestbook at a friend's wedding;
photo from 2016)
I am so glad to meet a future teacher, Jeremy! And here's something cool: there is another person from Spiro this semester: Aubryelle in the Myth-Folklore class! Maybe you two know each other already. I think it's great that you already have a perspective on education from the Marines, and I hope you will find a teaching job where you will be able to put all those skills and interests to work. I am the kind of teacher who sees teaching more as a job like coaching, and I am sure there is a lot from your sports background that will be super-useful in the classroom. You will see that same blend in the Indian Epics too where the gurus are teachers both of physical prowess and mental prowess. Keep an eye out for Vishvamitra at the beginning of the Ramayana in Week 3: he is Rama's first teacher, and quite a remarkable character in his own right! Wikipedia: Vishvamitra. Maybe you will want to do a project for this class on the teacher-gurus like Vishvamitra and Drona, and what you like / don't like about their teaching culture! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you have another student from Spiro. I don't know Aubryelle personally, but my grandmother's maiden name is Sebo and I am related to most if not all in the area, so there is a good chance she is a distant cousin of mine.
DeleteI am very much looking forwar to reading about Vishvamitra and Drona. I am very curious to see the differences in their teaching styles.
Hey Jeremy! I think it's super awesome that you were in the Marine Corps! That must have been a life-changing experience. And I bet you learned so much that will help you and maybe you will even share some interesting stories/insight for your future students!
ReplyDeleteI also think it's great that you want to teach Social Studies and coach! You'll get the best of both worlds with all your interests and talents! Best of luck with everything :)
Hey!
DeleteI do feel like my experience in the Marine Corps will help me as a teacher. I would be lying if I said I didn't have some interesting stories.
I appreciate the well wishes, good luck to you too!
Hey Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, I've heard of Spiro through a few of my friends, though I've never been. I'm sure you learned so much from the Marine Corps, and it's awesome that you got to experience parts of your future career!
Wow, it sounds like you had a busy summer with traveling. That's amazing and sounds like so much fun. I feel like most of the introduction posts I've read thus far have included travels.
Good luck this semester and in your future!
Unless you are going to visit the Spiro Mounds, most people really don't have a reason to go there. I-40 is a bit north, so unless you're on Highway 9, you wouldn't even drive through.
DeleteI also noticed that many people spent their summer traveling. I used to not be quite as interested in traveling, but it's a great way to learn about our world and the people that live in it.
Good luck to you as well!
Hey there Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've had a really busy college career, but I'm so glad you've finally found where you want to be! I'm also from a small town (Durant, Oklahoma) so I understand the struggle.
If you enjoy hiking, there's an Outdoor Adventure club on campus that does various small outings, so that might be something to check out! I went with a group to the Pecos Wilderness right before I began my freshman year and that was an amazing experience.
You're probably very strong after sports, hiking, and Marine Corps, so keep up the great work!
Hi Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteThat is really great that you got to go traveling this summer! I was also in Washington D.C. for part of the summer for the first time. There is so much history over there! I hope you got to see the monuments, to go to a lot of the museums, and just had a great time in general there.
Hi Jeremy! I can truly relate to changing your major a few times until finding the right one. I changed mine four times, before officially sticking with Psychology, and I'm still confused about what I really want to do. Time will only tell! I will say that it's awesome that you found what you would love to do through joining the Marine Corps and taking some time out to think. Takes a lot of courage to do that! It's great that you love sports would like to coach someday as well as teach Social Studies. I can't say I like social studies enough, but that's just me. Sports on the one-hand, are pretty great! It was a pleasure to meet you Jeremy, can't wait to see what great stories you'll be creating for class!
ReplyDeleteJeremy,
ReplyDeleteI love your story! You have come full-circle, in a way, and I love that you have finally found what you want to do for the rest of your like. Coaches are some of the most influential people in life-- I know mine were in high school. You will be able to mentor so many students at such a crucial time in their life. I certainly wish you the best as you continue in your major, and I look forward to keep discussing this class with you through your blog!
Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteI changed my major a really crazy amount of times here at OU so I definitely understand the struggle! I was accounting, Spanish, professional writing, journalism, and now have ended up with sociology and human relations! It is so worth it to pursue something you truly enjoy and know you can do your best at! Good luck with your last three semesters of college!
Hi Jeremy. It sounds like you have already lived quite an eventful life for how young you are. I'd like to start this by saying thank you for your service to our country. I am forever grateful to you and our other soldiers that are willing to put themselves on the line for me and our freedoms. It is also great that you want to be a teacher, another very important job. You seem like great guy and I look forward to reading some of your posts!
ReplyDeleteHello Jeremy, I think it is pretty cool that you were in the Marine Corps. I actually have a cousin that just joined. You seem like you may have a lot of life experience already! What exactly made you want to be a teacher? I couldn't imagine teaching, my patients is not long enough for teaching students. I am graduating in December next year too! Good Luck !
ReplyDeleteHi Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you plan to be a teacher! As an English major, a lot of my friends are planning on teaching, though it isn't something I personally aspire to. And I think that as a teacher, you would have a great opportunity to teach kids about little known things like the Spiro mounds! I'm sure your time as a Marine will also help when you become a teacher, whether it's because of the discipline you learned, or the experiences you had while travelling and training. Good luck!
Hi Jeremy! I think it's really awesome that you want to be a teacher, I could never be a teacher. I don't have the patience for children. It's cool that you were in the Marines too, that will definitely help having all those experiences for when you become a teacher. Good luck with your next few semesters at OU, I know how overwhelming changing your major can be.
ReplyDeleteJeremy, I think that is is great that you want to be a teacher and I have a couple friends that are wanting to do the same thing once they graduate from college. I also want to say how jealous I am of you for being in the marines as I don't think I could ever. I really admire you for your hard work and dedication but know you will bring that into becoming a great teacher!
ReplyDeleteHey Jeremy!!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for your service in the Marine Corps!! My best friend was also in the Marines in California, and has now been moved to North Carolina! I think it's incredible that you were courageous enough to drop out of school to explore another option, like the marines, and now it's helped you decide what you want to do with your future. I wish you luck with being a teacher, I bet you're going to be great! Good luck the rest of the semester :)
Hi, Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I want to thank you for your service in the Marine Corps! I really respect the bravery of people who serve for our country. Reading your story, I am inspired by your passion to come back to school to pick up teaching as a career. There are too few teachers in our country, and too much untapped potential. I applaud you for your career choice, and wish you the best of luck with this semester and in your future!
Hey Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you! I don’t blame you for switching your major, especially if you don’t like math and science and that is a large part of it. It’s really great that you were able to find another passion. The best part is, you can pursue both of your dreams at once. You can be a football coach and a teacher. That is so awesome for you!
Hey Jeremy.
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard of the Spiro Mounds through the Great Discoveries in Archaeology class I took at OU. I have actually switched majors so I can understand being behind because of that. But I am glad you have found what you wanted to do and hope you get to teach where you want to after you graduate.
Hi Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I really like the design and layout you have chosen for your blog. I also like the personal image you have incorporated into your introduction. I think it gives your blog a nice touch! I think it’s cool that you are a social studies major and that you have a strong interest in sports! I hope you are having a good semester so far and I can’t wait to explore the rest of your blog!
Jeremy, I have heard of Spiro mounds! Also, I understand what it is like to change majors. The only reason I am graduating only one semester late is because I took several summer and intersession classes! At least now you have a plan for the future, haha. Teaching is a very admirable profession. Good luck in your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you. I actually heard of Spiro mounds from a professor here at OU. She taught art history, and was working on her PhD in Native art and spent a lot of her time in Spiro. It's great that you ultimately decided to be a teacher. I have a lot of them in my family, although for some reason they all decide to become math teachers. They really love what they do, even if it's sometimes frustrating. I think you'll find it very rewarding. Good luck in your future!
Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteThe life of a high school sports coach sounds so cozy. I think you've had a pretty cool story so far, changing your mind three times takes a lot of courage, honestly. Some people would feel the need to stick it out to the end. Social studies is a solid place to land- it was my favorite subject in school growing up. Good luck with finishing the semester, if you haven't already.