Full circle: Saint Michael’s graduating senior will return to roots to teach 5th grade

Theresa Hoar ’25

Like many others at Saint Michael’s College, senior Theresa Hoar ’25 is on the verge of graduation, but she has a familiar path ahead. 

Hoar, a member of the Saint Michael’s Class of 2025, will soon be walking the halls once again of her childhood elementary school in her hometown, Barre, Vermont. By then, she’ll have a Bachelor’s degree in Education Studies and Environmental Science in hand. 

Hoar was hired to teach 5th grade at her alma mater, Saint Monica’s School in Barre, a Kindergarten through 8th-grade private Catholic school. 

“I guess the easiest answer is that it was the community,” Hoar said when asked about her return to her roots. “There’s so much collaboration across grades, and everyone knows each other. That sense of belonging really stuck with me.”

A love for learning translates to teaching 

Hoar’s decision to return to Saint Monica’s has everything to do with her own positive experience as a student. Hoar recalls the tight-knit, welcoming community with grade sizes ranging from 15 to 20 students.  She also remembers hands-on science projects, field trips to museums and historical sites, and teachers who made learning exciting. 

“They really loved what they were doing,” she said. “There wasn’t one particular teacher who inspired me — I guess part of the reason I chose teaching was because I really enjoyed learning.” 

Theresa Hoar ’25 as a student at Saint Monica’s School in Barre, where she plans to return as a teacher. (Courtesy of Theresa Hoar)

Initially an Elementary Education major, Hoar later switched to Education Studies to accommodate her equally demanding Environmental Science major. 

“There was zero overlap between the two,” she explained. “So, education studies allowed me to do a little bit more, like fitting things into my schedule.” 

For example, instead of working student-teaching into her class schedule –  a requirement of the Education major, but not Education Studies – Hoar completed internships outside of her class schedule with the Institute for the Environment.

Making learning accessible

Beginning in the fall, Theresa will be teaching Saint Monica’s 5th-grade class a variety of subjects, including math, science, reading, and writing.

Theresa Hoar ’25 as a fifth grader at Saint Monica’s School from a photo in her yearbook. (Photo courtesy Theresa Hoar)

“Fifth grade is an age where they’re not quite Middle School – pretending not to like things yet – and they still get really excited about things,” Hoar said. “So it can be fun.”

Hoar said that studying education during her four years at St. Mike’s has allowed her to understand different methods of learning and teaching more deeply. For example, her coursework taught her about the importance of accessibility and a variety of learning approaches for different students’ needs.

“When I was a kid, I never thought about accommodations,” she said. “Now I realize how important it is to reach every student in a way that works for them.”

Hoar is excited to step into the classroom for the first time at Saint Monica’s as a teacher and is looking forward to working with her mentor teachers. She knows she’ll be looking to them for guidance as she starts on this new path.

“I really hope that I’m able to share just the love of learning with them, because it’s okay to not know everything,” Hoar said. “I don’t know everything. I will never know everything, but getting to learn along with them is super exciting.”

While Hoar’s not fully licensed yet, she will continue working toward her teaching licensure while at Saint Monica’s.

“I’d love to stay there forever,” she added. “I really love the community.”