A lifetime spent learning habits of mentoring, volunteerism, and teaching spurs student’s career choice
Parents inspired Miami student to pursue a future in education
A lifetime spent learning habits of mentoring, volunteerism, and teaching spurs student’s career choice
Parents inspired Miami student to pursue a future in education
Hazel Moon saw the spirit of giving in action growing up with her parents, who both work at Monroe Local Schools — her mom as a music teacher, her dad as lead custodian. They regularly went above and beyond to mentor young people, surpassing their job descriptions and giving after-hours time for volunteer work in the community.
Moon was inspired to follow their example. She graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree from Miami University’s Primary Education program, earning summa cum laude honors with a 4.0 GPA.
“I grew up from a young age taught to help others, even when you don’t have a lot yourself,” said Moon. “Helping others has really stuck with me.”
Moon spent much of her youth helping her mom and dad with simple tasks at Monroe High School after she finished her own school day. She saw them acting as the kind of adults students looked up to and felt comfortable seeking out for help.
“If students needed something, my parents would help them get it,” she said. “My dad would help freshmen open their lockers and find their way to class. My mom gave students rides or got them meals. She also ran a children’s choir. People remember them after they graduate.”
At Miami, Moon earned an academic scholarship through the Middletown Community Foundation and played on the softball team at the Hamilton campus as a freshman. Although an injury sidelined her as a player, she continued to participate as the team manager during her sophomore year. The team provided a strong base of friendships that lasted throughout her college years.
The small class sizes at the Hamilton campus also gave her the chance to develop solid friendships within her Education cohort.
“It felt like a tight-knit community,” she said of her campus activities. “I made a lot of good friends, and the professors were very caring. I’ve always been a little shy in new settings, so I would not have thrived on a big campus.”
As she prepares to start her new life now as an elementary school teacher, Moon said she feels she is doing what she was always meant to do.
“It’s honestly the only job I’ve ever thought about. It’s been my lifelong dream. And I know my parents are very proud of me.”