Faculty Spotlight

Faculty Spotlight Tammy R. Hutchinson-Harosky

I came to King University in August of 2013 after spending nineteen years teaching in the public schools in Tennessee and Virginia. I have never felt at home like I did the day I came to campus to interview. I vividly remember the day spent with the wonderful people of the School of Education, and I instantly knew that if I were offered the job, there would be no hesitation. When I began teaching at King, I was only one year into my doctoral program. Because the School of Education needed someone to teach the literacy courses, and I was three hours short of having enough hours to teach the literacy courses, I returned to my alma mater, Carson-Newman University, and completed a Reading Specialist certification. At King, I teach the literacy and English as a Second Language courses that are required for initial licensure in the state of TN and for an add-on endorsement in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). One year after coming to King, I was asked to serve on the board for the Tennessee Teachers of ESL, and I served as president of the organization from 2016-2017. One of my responsibilities as a board member was to host the 2015 TNTESOL conference. I will forever be grateful for the support and encouragement I received from my colleagues, the university, and my students. It was wonderful to see not only the School of Education faculty being a part of the conference, but seeing our students involved in the organization solidified why I agreed to serve on the board. I believe I am not a success unless my students are successful. I am at King for the students. I believe that is my job: to ensure that my students receive the knowledge that is needed to be successful in their own future classrooms. I believe that I should be a mentor and resource for my students. I love when my students are in their own classrooms and invite me to come read to the class or to bring my current students to their school. I am a hands-on educator. I believe that it is important to provide my students with the opportunity to see what teaching is all about before they leave Kline Hall. I work closely with local school systems to have my students complete observation hours, work closely with the ESL teacher (through practicums), and participate in intervention opportunities. My students conduct a literacy night each semester for a local elementary school. This provides the students with the opportunity to not only work with children, but to work with the parents as well. Since coming to King, I have been instrumental in developing the ESL add-on endorsement in a completely online format, which allows us to offer the endorsement to licensed teachers throughout TN and VA. I have completed my doctoral degree (2016) in Teaching English as a Second Language. Most importantly, since coming to King, I have met colleagues and students who have forever touched my heart. The School of Education may be a small program, but we are a family. We work closely together to ensure that our students are highly qualified educators when they leave us. We encourage and support one another. I have always said that I have the best job in the world. I get to teach what I am passionate about (ESL and literacy), work with fabulous people (who have become family), have amazing students

Tammy Harosky and family

(that I thank God for each day), and I get to watch soccer in the afternoons after work. In my opinion, life does not get much better than being a professor in the School of Education at King University!

What is one of your most striking King-related memories?

I have had the fortune of working with amazing people during my time at King. I am very fortunate to be able to share my passion of ESL and Education with students. The memories that are most striking are being to share my passion of ESL with my students. In the spring of 2015, I had the opportunity to host the Tennessee Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TNTESOL) state conference. Hosting this conference gave me the opportunity to allow my students to showcase their talent and knowledge. I have so many wonderful memories of my time here at King that it is hard to pick just a few.

What have you learned during your time at King?

My philosophy is that if my students are not successful, I am not successful. Everything I do is with the thought of will this benefit my students? I have found that having this attitude/philosophy enables me to be the instructor that my students need.

What life advice would you give to students at King?

Always be open to God’s plan for your life and your career! Seek him, let the people you encounter see him through you, and face each day as a day that you can make the world a better place.

What is one word or phrase you would use to sum up your time at King, and why?

Knowledge. During my time at King, I have completed my terminal degree (Educational Doctorate with an emphasis in English as a Second Language) and the course work for two additional endorsements (Reading Specialist and Special Education). I have learned so much from my colleagues, my students, and every opportunity that King has presented me.