By Margaret Schell 

A s Ethan Bearden (’25) considered his career options, he had inspiration all around him. 

His two best friends have brothers with autism, which drew Bearden toward special education. He began bringing students with disabilities to work in the community as part of his student-teaching placement. 

“It just all came together,” he said. “I knew special education was the right major.” 

At Georgia College, Bearden was placed as a student teacher in a classroom with students with severe disabilities at Putnam County High School. There, he learned how to take care of the students physically, not just academically. 

“Every student can learn, just not in the same way or on the same day,” Bearden said. “I may have to teach the subject matter a different way to each student, but they will get it.” 

When a student struggled with math, Bearden came up with a creative solution. 

“I used small farm animal figures for my student to start learning,” Bearden said. “When he was adding, he put his chickens in the coop and fence and collected eggs like he was in his backyard. He smiled and laughed when he did the math.” 

"These experiences showed me this is the career I want,” Bearden said. “I love these kids for who they are.” 

Through the high school’s Student Transition and Readiness Skills program, Bearden took students into the community to work at a restaurant and grocery store. They mopped, washed windows, wiped tables, etc. The advanced students handed food to and took money from customers, and Bearden helped them make change. 

“We pushed these students to work in real-world settings, because we could see them working somewhere outside of high school,” he said. “The mix of peer interaction and community involvement made a huge difference in helping the students grow academically, socially and emotionally.” 

Bearden also helped with the Miss Amazing campaign — an advocacy program for girls and women with disabilities. Contestants get dressed up, have their makeup applied and showcase their talent. 

He helped set up each event and escorted the contestants from the ballroom to the stage. 

“This program showed me how to inspire and support people with disabilities, especially in the teaching field, because a big part of it is self-advocacy and fostering a community,” he said. 

He thanks his GCSU professors — Mary Hiller Crook, Drs. Kim Muschaweck, Rob Sumowski and Stephen Wills — who treated students like “moms and dads.” 

“Dr. Brandon Samples, [associate professor of mathematics] wanted to see us grow,” Bearden said. “If we didn't work a problem right, he wrote descriptive pages, showing us how to fix it. I could edit my work and turn it back in. He was like, ‘That's perfect.’ If it wasn't, we'd work on the problem again.” 

“This is how I see myself teaching my students,” Bearden said. “I want them to pick up on the most they can do.” 

Now in his first year teaching math, science and life skills to Houston County High School Special Education students, Bearden is confident the life skills training will help them get a job after they graduate. His students run a coffee shop every day, cleaning and selling iced and hot coffee, soft drinks, snacks and candy. 

“It’s rewarding to give them these skills to help them get their first job,” he said. “I want my students to be independent and successful members of the community when they leave here.” 

“We called inspiration our ‘why’ at GCSU,” Bearden said. “My ‘why’ were the brothers of my two best friends, who I got to see grow. Now, I’m inspired to see every child succeed in their own way by helping them discover their voice and strengths.” 

At Georgia College, Bearden studied side-by-side with students enrolled in GC Thrive. This inclusive postsecondary education program enables young adults with intellectual disabilities to attend college with their non-disabled peers. 

“Through his work with GC THRIVE classes and internships, Ethan saw how what he teaches high school students influences the range of career and educational opportunities available to them after graduation,” said Dr. Rob Sumowski, professor and director of the GC THRIVE Program. “This not only made Ethan a better Special Ed. teacher, but it’s allowed him to touch many students’ lives in Houston County in a lasting and profound way. We’re proud to claim Ethan as one of our own.”

Header Image: Ethan Bearden (rear center) with special education students at Houston County High School. (Photo: Ethan Bearden)