Keith Hardy's Story
Keith's life has been focused on rigorous and challenging education.
Early Years
Keith's parents, Barbara and Will Hardy, didn't have a chance to finish high school because of life circumstances. They encouraged Keith and his sisters, Frances and Vanessa, to at least graduate from high school, if not from college.
Elementary School
Keith moved to upstate South Carolina in the middle of his third grade year. His new teacher gave him a reading test on his first day of class. She stopped him after he read three paragraphs and said, "You'll be in the highest reading class." That started Keith on his path as what is now called a gifted and talented student.
The next year, Keith changed schools again and exhibited behavior toward his 4th grade teacher Ms. Buchanan that would have him assessed today as a student with EBD (emotional behavior disorder). Among other negative behaviors, he threw a book at her, talked back to her, and regularly got into trouble.
On the last day of school, Keith missed his school bus ride home. A car pulled up a few minutes later, and it was Ms. Buchanan, who offered him a ride home. As he was riding, Keith felt guilty and apologized for all the trouble he had caused her. Ms. Buchanan said something that totally shocked Keith: "I don't know what you're talking about." Keith realized that a great teacher can see potential in students who may be disruptive in the classroom.
Junior High
In his 7th and 8th grade junior high, Keith had many great teachers touch his life. None greater than his 8th grade English teacher, who is now one of his two all-time favorite teachers, Mrs. Foster. She challenged him to not settle for average school work, which is a philosophy he still lives by.
High School
Keith had two high school experiences, public and private. He spent 2 1/2 years at Seneca High School and 1 1/2 at Mount Pisgah Academy, a faith-based high school. Keith had many teachers who challenged him to excel academically and not limit himself in his post-secondary or career aspirations.
His most influential teacher was his other all-time favorite teacher, Mrs. Ross. She took Keith under her wing when he returned to public school for the second semester of his sophomore year and encouraged him to read and to keep up his creative writing. Keith and Mrs. Ross still have those conversations to this day along with talking about education issues Keith faces as a school board member.
Post Secondary
Keith fulfilled his parents’ ultimate dream for their children by earning a B.A. in journalism at the University of Texas-Arlington. He went on to complete the coursework for his M.S. in technical communication at the University of Minnesota. He plans to get a Ph.D. in some area of education soon.
This is all part of his parents' teaching to never stop learning. Keith believes strongly in lifelong learning for himself and others. Education truly is the path to a good life.
Keith's life has been focused on rigorous and challenging education.
Early Years
Keith's parents, Barbara and Will Hardy, didn't have a chance to finish high school because of life circumstances. They encouraged Keith and his sisters, Frances and Vanessa, to at least graduate from high school, if not from college.
Elementary School
Keith moved to upstate South Carolina in the middle of his third grade year. His new teacher gave him a reading test on his first day of class. She stopped him after he read three paragraphs and said, "You'll be in the highest reading class." That started Keith on his path as what is now called a gifted and talented student.
The next year, Keith changed schools again and exhibited behavior toward his 4th grade teacher Ms. Buchanan that would have him assessed today as a student with EBD (emotional behavior disorder). Among other negative behaviors, he threw a book at her, talked back to her, and regularly got into trouble.
On the last day of school, Keith missed his school bus ride home. A car pulled up a few minutes later, and it was Ms. Buchanan, who offered him a ride home. As he was riding, Keith felt guilty and apologized for all the trouble he had caused her. Ms. Buchanan said something that totally shocked Keith: "I don't know what you're talking about." Keith realized that a great teacher can see potential in students who may be disruptive in the classroom.
Junior High
In his 7th and 8th grade junior high, Keith had many great teachers touch his life. None greater than his 8th grade English teacher, who is now one of his two all-time favorite teachers, Mrs. Foster. She challenged him to not settle for average school work, which is a philosophy he still lives by.
High School
Keith had two high school experiences, public and private. He spent 2 1/2 years at Seneca High School and 1 1/2 at Mount Pisgah Academy, a faith-based high school. Keith had many teachers who challenged him to excel academically and not limit himself in his post-secondary or career aspirations.
His most influential teacher was his other all-time favorite teacher, Mrs. Ross. She took Keith under her wing when he returned to public school for the second semester of his sophomore year and encouraged him to read and to keep up his creative writing. Keith and Mrs. Ross still have those conversations to this day along with talking about education issues Keith faces as a school board member.
Post Secondary
Keith fulfilled his parents’ ultimate dream for their children by earning a B.A. in journalism at the University of Texas-Arlington. He went on to complete the coursework for his M.S. in technical communication at the University of Minnesota. He plans to get a Ph.D. in some area of education soon.
This is all part of his parents' teaching to never stop learning. Keith believes strongly in lifelong learning for himself and others. Education truly is the path to a good life.
