Early Childhood Education Faculty Spotlight: Professor Hailey Leavitt

Mikaela Campbell

McKay Student Ambassador

Early Childhood Education

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Meet Hailey Leavitt, a professor here at BYU who teaches many of the Early Childhood Education courses. Everyone's teaching journey is different and she'd love to share some of her background and experiences with you. Take a minute to get to know her, her love for teaching, and her excitement for future educators!

1.Share some of your background!

I arrived at BYU in the fall of 2000, deeply excited by the prospect of being surrounded by fellow Latter-day Saints. As a friendly freshman, I wanted to know everyone’s name and what they were studying. That part of my temperament—optimistic and outreach—eventually carried over into my kindergarten classroom, and it continues to make teaching feel magical.

I wanted to be a teacher. The major chose me before I came to BYU. I felt homesick and I dreaded the hot summers, but I loved campus with surprising intensity and loyalty. I felt inspired in my classes. I held callings and participated in student leadership courses. I went to church and social events. I worked at the Bean Museum and handled the reptiles during elementary school visits. I later worked at the MOA cafe and I can still smell the focaccia.

2.What has your teaching journey been like?

I interned in 3rd grade in the Nebo School District. It was hard. I was wildly naive (again) to the needs that I would see in my students. Teaching at a title one school exposed me to students whose lives were impacted by incarceration, drug and alcohol addiction, low incomes, learning disabilities, medical needs, and family struggles. Amidst these challenges, my mentor, Susan Jones, breathed confidence, professionalism, faith, and friendship into me. I remain deeply indebted to her. In that classroom, I relied on the Spirit for inspiration. Having been in the classroom in various capacities and locations since 2003, I testify that it is truly the grace and power of God that amplifies our efforts.

I taught in Nebo, then Alpine school district. My husband graduated with his Phd and we went to Chicago for postdoctoral work. There, I found my professional home in an impressively diverse and tight knit YMCA family. The windows of heaven opened, and I found myself teaching two-, three-, and four-year-olds, as well as Pre-K. I organized and led both academic and social summer camps, and even taught ballet and Zumba. While we barely scraped by financially, I was able to keep my own children close, which was priceless. I grew in my teaching practice in a myriad of ways. I attended conferences, implemented and refined teaching strategies and strengthened my personal educational philosophy through the labor of a practitioner.

Unnamed mentors bolstered my early childhood teaching. I developed myself as a woman of God, mother, and teacher. I also felt tired. I had a late miscarriage. I had small paychecks. Disappointments and personal heartache. Yet my career is a source of meaning and joy. My eyes love to see through the eyes of a child. I am surrounded by delight and wonder. I have the gift to believe in the hope, experimentation, and curiosity of the young learner. I can sense this energy in a small child and it has a renewing effect on my Spirit.

3.What courses do you teach?

Now, back at BYU I have the privilege of shaping the next generation of educators. I have taught ECE 334 helping students build the vision that early childhood is a distinct part of the elementary education practice. I teach ECE 301 which dives into a variety of developmental areas in supporting movement and play. I am passionate about creating intentional, authentic play as a natural vehicle for learning for all people. I teach ECE 330 and ECE 336 which develop the early childhood educator in child guidance practice and instructional practice.

4.Anything else you'd like to share?

I am blessed to be part of the BYU community. I pray for and with my students. I share and receive light on this campus. I encourage aspiring teachers to strengthen themselves spiritually to best care for others and to allow Heaven to work through them in classrooms around the world.

Want to learn more about Early Childhood Education? Check out our other blogs!

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