Longstanding Teaching Tradition Continues with Fifth-Generation Rocket

Longstanding Teaching Tradition Continues with Fifth-Generation Rocket

As the year unwinds and the holidays draw near, one household is celebrating a tradition uniquely anchored at The University of Toledo. Junior Grayson Gallaher is the fifth generation in his family to pursue a teaching degree from UToledo, continuing a legacy of learning started decades ago by his maternal great-great-grandmother.

"Our family on my great-great-grandmother's side came to Toledo from Kentucky in the 1950s," Gallaher said. "All of her female relatives were either nurses or teachers and she chose teaching."

Gallaher's family members said they chose UToledo's program for teacher education because of the expert instruction and top-notch support they received. The teaching baton passed down to his grandmother Rebecca Dudley, then to his mother, Diana Fox Gallaher.

"I had a wonderful experience at UT," Diana Fox Gallaher said. "I felt that my professors prepared me very well for my student teaching and when I graduated, I felt confident that I could lead a classroom on my own. I decided to go back and earn my master's degree at UT as well."

Gallaher is pursuing a double major in young adult and adolescent education with a concentration in language arts, and English with a concentration in literature. Initially, though, he questioned whether he'd follow in his family's footsteps. It wasn't until his junior year attending Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio, that he saw how he could carve his own teaching pathway.

"I went towards education later in high school after seeing how much I enjoyed it and how much of an impact my own teachers had on me, especially in that time period in my life," Gallaher said. "The way they engaged their students and were always there for you, I always wanted to be in their class."

In 2023, Gallaher received the Herb Scholarship as a first-year student. As one of the most prestigious awards from the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education, the Herb Scholarship recognizes four high-achieving education students each year and covers their cost of full-time, in-state tuition plus room and board for four years.

Recipients of the award become members of the Herb Scholars Program, where they engage in leadership development, valuable undergraduate research and global experiential learning.

"It changed my life completely," Gallaher said about receiving the Herb Scholarship. "To live comfortably, to be able to focus on my education, to be going to school for something I'm passionate about without having to worry about all of the stressors that come along with it, I'm so grateful."

Herb Scholars participate in Rocket Kids, where UToledo students provide educational development and recreational programming for youth on U.S. Military bases located across Europe. This emphasis on international travel builds up adaptability, cultural intelligence and advanced problem solving - all transferable skills that empower future educators.

"Last summer, I got to go to Stuttgart, Germany, with the Rocket Kids program. I loved working with those kids," Gallaher said. "I got to start thinking about how those experiences would translate into my classroom. Even if it doesn't directly apply to your major, what I've learned still applies to how you navigate things and how kids are impacted."

As the U.S. copes with a nationwide teacher shortage, preparing strong educators is an essential part of ensuring academic success for future generations. Awards like the Herb Scholarship provide a transformational opportunity for UToledo students.

"With the Herb Scholarship, we've created a really remarkable pathway for education students to establish themselves as leaders," said Dr. Melissa Valiska Gregory, dean of the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education. "Grayson is a perfect example of someone who understands the impact teachers have on our communities and we're thrilled he's continuing his family's legacy with us as an Herb Scholar."

Between the world-class education he receives from UToledo and his family's support, Gallaher is achieving his goals with confidence.

"I really am lucky I don't have to stress about my academics and how I'm going to get them," Gallaher said. "I get to focus on my future and my studies and that's amazing."