Contact: Misty P. Salaz 277-5851

January 17, 2003 HOBBS NATIVE'S KNACK FOR TEACHING INSPIRES CAREER University of New Mexico elementary education student, Patricia Hanson, said her passion for teaching has become an important aspect of her college career. "I love helping people and I have always seemed to have a knack for teaching," Hanson said. "I have tutored children of all ages and I just simply love doing it." After attending Hobbs High School, Hanson enrolled at UNM in Albuquerque and also received the New Mexico Scholars Scholarship. Hanson knew she didn't want to wander too far from home and knew Albuquerque was just a few hours away from her native Hobbs. "I knew that I wanted to leave Hobbs and have the true college experience of moving into a dorm and meeting new people but I also knew that I didn't want to go too far from home and UNM felt like the perfect place to be do that," she said. Along with recently being initiated into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Hanson is required to spend two full days a week in an elementary classroom. In addition to working 20-30 hours a week, she is required to have 12-15 credit hours in a UNM classroom. "My biggest challenge today is making sure that I can handle work, school and a life outside of all that," she said. "Most people think it is really easy to become a teacher and get a license, but as far as UNM goes, you have to put quite a bit of effort into your student teaching." Hanson said she is very excited about being inducted into Kappa Delta Pi and knows she will benefit from being a member. "I think that being a member will allow me to get more involved with the College of Education and will open doors to information that I might not have seen otherwise," she said. Although Hanson lead a busy life, she still maintains contact with the people that matter most to her. She said many people have inspired her over the years but her mother, father and brother are the people that stand out. "My mother has been such an impact in my life by always being there for me, my brother has shown me how easy it is to succeed if you just put forth the effort and my father has always supported me in whatever interest I have explored," Hanson said. After she graduate Hanson said she plans to stay in Albuquerque for a few years to start her teaching career. Once she gains enough teaching experience, she wants to move to Colorado and start a family with her fiancé, Christopher. In her spare time, Hanson enjoys spending time with her friends and fiancé, stargazing, reading books and spending time outdoors. Hanson is the daughter of Steve and Kathleen Hanson. ###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
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Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
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