We all have personal goals to achieve in our progression through life. Being able to finally accomplish something that was begun several decades ago is a special feeling of perseverance that not everyone gets to experience. Stacy Holden was recently able to achieve a goal that she set for herself a long time ago.
Holden grew up in both East Chicago and Gary. She graduated from East Chicago Central High School.
“It was a good experience for me academically,” Holden said. “It gave me a better pathway of what I wanted to do for myself. I met some amazing teachers who inspired me growing up and helped develop my love for math.”
Following high school, Holden went on to the Groups Scholars Program in Indiana University (IU) Bloomington for two years. She received her associate’s degree which allowed her to obtain a teaching certificate.
Holden would come home shortly after those two years. Several life experiences made it hard for her to continue an educational journey at this time. On top of it becoming hard to afford, she got married and lost her father, who had a major impact on her educational endeavors.
“He always used to take me to IU Northwest growing up,” Holden said. “I remember when we would see little plays like ‘The Nutcracker.’ It was always a fun time.”
When she was younger, Holden told her father that she would graduate from IU Northwest one day. For more than 20 years, she has been working a variety of roles within the East Chicago school system. However, it was during the pandemic when the principal spoke to her about what Holden needed to do moving forward.
“She wanted my help to go back on the substitute teaching side,” Holden said. “After three years, she told me to see what I need to do to finish school.”
As it turns out, Holden only needed three classes to graduate and receive her bachelor’s degree. There was no better place for her to complete this educational journey than IU Northwest, the place she had always wanted to graduate from.
“I always knew there was something about IU Northwest as a little girl,” Holden said. “The fact that I put in the work to get my bachelor’s degree is incredible. I think it means more to me achieving it now as opposed to when I was younger. To know that I was able to accomplish a goal that I set for myself so long ago and put aside my fear was really cool.”
The journey of achieving her bachelor’s degree now was much more welcoming for Holden going back to school later than when she went originally. She felt more secure and had plenty of supporters by her side. Her peers within the East Chicago school system have played a big role in motivating and educating her since she’s been with them.
“I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience from the entire staff,” Holden said. “Getting the opportunity to work with some teachers I had in school has been incredible because I admire and look up to these people. Absorbing everything that I’ve seen them do leads me to do what I enjoy doing today. I love the socialization of working with the kids, teaching them math and seeing them grow up to become successful human beings.”
Along with her educational journey as both a student and a teacher, Holden also considers herself to be a very family-oriented person. She loves to get together with her loved ones and goes to church every Sunday. She also participates in tutoring, coaching volleyball and serves as a member of the Chicago Central Alumni Group.
Ultimately, Holden loves giving back to the kids and educating them in their journeys. In the next few years, she envisions herself achieving her master’s degree and helping provide social or emotional counseling for those who might need support.