For Andrea Hether, becoming a certified teacher didn’t mean stepping away from her classroom, it meant finding a program that fit her life while empowering her to create meaningful change for her students. Davenport University’s College of Urban Education alternative teacher certification program helped her do just that.

As part of her Urban Ed Community Partnership class, Hether designed and implemented a service-learning project to support Newaygo Public Schools elementary students by providing access to essential personal hygiene items. Through conversations with Newaygo Elementary’s literacy coach and third- and fourth-grade teachers, Hether realized many of their students lacked basic items such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other essentials, particularly important as students begin navigating puberty.

To address the need, Hether created a list of essential supplies and reached out to seven local churches. 

“The response was overwhelming,” Hether said. “One church spent $500 at Amazon and brought the supplies to our school.”

With additional support from the school’s booster organization, cabinets and clear storage bins were donated to organize the items.

The hygiene products are now stored in a fourth-grade staff bathroom and are available to any student who needs them, with additional overstock kept in Hether’s classroom to meet future needs.

“I still have items being collected and my classroom is full,” Hether said. “The community response has been incredible, and their ongoing generosity means we can continue meeting students’ needs well into the future.”

Alex Misiak, Davenport University recruitment program manager, said Hether’s experience reflects the core mission of the College of Urban Education – to move students from theoretical frameworks to practical, actionable strategies that create immediate impact in schools and communities. 

“Her initiative not only addressed a critical and often overlooked need within her school but also fostered long-term community partnerships and systems of care,” said Misiak. 

“This is the kind of work that strengthens our mission and reminds us of the importance of practice-based preparation.”

Hether took an alternative path to teacher certification.

When her youngest child started kindergarten in 2014, Hether decided to try substitute teaching. After being in that role for a few years, she became a para pro. After working in that role for a time, she realized she preferred working with all students rather than one-on-one, and she returned to substituting. New opportunities soon followed. 

When Newaygo Elementary needed a long-term substitute art teacher, Hether stepped into the role. At the end of the year, the district’s superintendent approached her about becoming the school’s sixth kindergarten teacher — her dream job. Although she held a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she needed to earn her teaching certificate to accept the position.

“Our superintendent at the time found the Davenport program and said, ‘Hey, this might work for you,’” she said. “The team at Davenport helped guide me through the process and set me up for success with online learning.”

Hether began the alternative route to teacher certification program in fall 2022, taking three to six credits per semester and attending classes year-round while teaching full time. She passed the required state teaching exam in April 2023 and is completing her final certification coursework this semester. 

But Hether isn’t done. She plans to earn her master’s degree in Urban Education by spring 2027.

“I love kindergarten – I’m not leaving,” Hether said. “This program gave me that opportunity.  Going in, I just didn’t have everything most people would need to get the job.”

Hether credits professor Mecha Crockett and her course, Family and Community Engagement, for giving her the opportunity to give back to her students in such a meaningful way. She also credits  Davenport’s online format and supportive faculty for making her success possible. 

“My online professors were helpful and easy to get a hold of. And we often do group projects, so I’m able to communicate with other students in my classes,” she said.

“It’s not the easiest thing to go back to school and work full time, but it’s worth it.” 

For more information about Davenport University’s Urban Education and alternative route to teacher certification programs, visit www.davenport.edu/academics/areas/urban-education.