Haley Bedlan had always wanted to be a teacher, but during her senior year of high school, she decided to pursue a business degree.

After her freshman year at College of Saint Mary, Haley realized she needed to change her major. “I needed to do what I love,” she said. “Once I got into the education classes, I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Haley’s mom is a third-grade teacher at Yutan Elementary School and inspired her daughter to follow in her footsteps.

“I grew up in her classroom, helping her decorate every summer and grading papers,” Haley said. “Obviously, there are a lot of ups and downs with teaching, but she just made it look so easy, and she’s always cared for her students like she’s cared for me. It made me want to go out and do the same thing.”

CSM offers education majors at all levels — early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, special education or K-12 education — and endorsements. While Haley considered becoming a middle school teacher because she coaches 14-year-olds in volleyball, she ultimately decided on elementary school.

“Elementary students are so pure and sweet,” she said. “Knowing I can make a difference in a young person’s life changed my mind.”

Haley credited her education professors for helping her ensure she was in the right major.

“I love them so much,” she said. “The professors here have made education the best choice of my life. They are so encouraging and so helpful. They are always reaching out if you need help.”

In addition to her education classes, Haley is a member of the Flames Volleyball Team. The decision to play in college helped solidify CSM as her college of choice.

“I visited a lot of colleges, but nothing felt like it did when I visited CSM,” she said. “After talking to Coach Rick Pruett, my dad and I left, and we hugged each other because we knew I was coming here. This was where I was going to earn my degree.”

Haley played for a small program at Yutan High School and admitted the transition from high school to college was difficult.

“The transition of more people and more competition was hard, but the memories and the people I became friends with made it so worth it,” she said.

Haley, now a senior at CSM, credits Pruett with the Flames' success on the court and the culture he brings to the team.

“Coach Pruett is almost like a dad to all of us. He cares in a way I’ve never seen other coaches care about. He treats us like his daughters. Nobody’s ever scared to talk to him,” she said. “He’s just such a great guy, and playing for him makes CSM so much better.”