Future educator

05/10/2024

President's Ambassador Kayla Nartker

Meet the 2024-25 President’s ambassadors

Kayla Nartker
AYA Social Studies Education (7-12) and Middle Childhood Education (4-9) double major, Honors minor
Kalida, Ohio
Graduation year: 2027

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BLUFFTON?

I was first introduced to Bluffton University by my mom who is an alumna. She attended two other universities before finally transferring to Bluffton, and it was here that she finally found the university she had been searching for.

Although I had considered a few other universities in high school, once I toured Bluffton, I decided that it was the university for me. The advisor I met at the welcome center, the student who took me on a tour, and the professor I met during the tour were all amazing people who made me feel very welcomed and at home. I had been on tours to other universities at that point, but it was Bluffton’s tour and campus that ultimately captivated me.

I immediately applied for Bluffton afterwards and have not regretted it since!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR MAJOR? WHAT’S MOST EXCITING ABOUT YOUR CLASSES?

I am double majoring in AYA Social Studies Education (7-12) and Middle Childhood Education with a concentration in Social Studies and English Language Arts (4-9) with an honors minor.

My only dream as a child was to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and to become a teacher. In elementary school, I spent my time making pretend lessons for my toys and younger siblings – pretending that I was a reading teacher just like her. Though I chose a different content area than my grandmother, I am still choosing to follow her and my dreams by becoming a teacher. My time at Bluffton has only reinforced that decision.

I absolutely love my history classes and all the experiences that have come with them! I have learned so much, and my understanding of the world and others has greatly increased. Not only have I learned more about the world in class, but I have also learned more through experiences – like visiting museums and President Warren G. Harding’s home.

TELL US ABOUT BLUFFTON’S FACULTY, STAFF AND COACHES. ARE THEY HELPING YOU REACH YOUR GOALS?

All of my professors at Bluffton have been absolutely wonderful! Not only are they fantastic people, but they are also amazing teachers and have been very helpful in reaching my goals. When I decided to double major, my academic advisor and history professor Martina Cucchiara was very willing and able to help me do this.

Additionally, when I spoke to my other history professor, Perry Bush, about looking for a job this summer, he recommended Bluffton’s Summer Discovery Grant to me. Without his recommendation, I would have never had the opportunity to explore the possibility of teaching in Catholic schools post-graduation.

Even though I have only been at Bluffton University for one year so far, already my professors have done so much for me, and I will be eternally grateful for them.

WHAT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU PART OF? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE ACTIVE ON CAMPUS?

Here at Bluffton University, I am involved in the University Choir, the Bluffton Education Organization [BEO] and the History Club.

I believe that it is important to be active on campus because there is so much that you can learn from other people if you just open yourself up to new opportunities and experiences. In these clubs, not only have I made so many great friends and had so much fun, but I have also learned more about the world and the people around me.

College is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and to connect to others, and I believe that being active on campus is the best way to do that!