Cheyenne Ziegler Graduates From Student to Teacher

Cheyenne Ziegler never questioned what she would do when she grew up. From the age of five, she just knew.

"My mom likes to tell the story about how, after my first day of kindergarten, I came home and started teaching to my stuffed animals. I've known for a long time I wanted to be a teacher," she said.

For Cheyenne, teaching is a calling, one she approaches with open arms and wholehearted joy. She is graduating this December magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education with endorsements in special education and reading. Ready to have a classroom of her own, Cheyenne already is interviewing for full-time K-3 teaching positions. Until an offer comes through, she plans to substitute teach in three local school districts.

"It took me 10 years to achieve this goal and I really love working with my littles. It is my passion," she said.

A month after graduating high school in 2011, Cheyenne left her tiny hometown of Jackson, Ohio, and joined the U.S. Navy. It was a way to serve her country and pay for her education. In 2013, while deployed to the Middle East on the USS George H.W. Bush, Cheyenne met her future husband, Travis Ziegler, who also was stationed on the Navy aircraft carrier. They were married on Dec. 19, 2015, and one month later the veterans joined SAU as full-time, first-year students.

Travis, who is majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Public Relations and Strategic Communications, expects to graduate in May 2021.

On top of her academic load, Cheyenne worked at the SAU Children's Campus throughout her undergraduate career, helping 'littles' explore the world and grow. In February 2018, she and Travis gained a 'little' of their own when Franklin was born. They have been able to successfully tackle everything – classes, homework, field placements, working and raising a son – by leaning on each other.

"If he had a big project or assignment due, or if I did, we'd take over for each other and care for Franklin. We are very much a team and that helped with the juggling aspect," she said.

"I am proud of her," Travis said. "She's doing it all and getting a 4.0 GPA on top of all the things we have going on," he said.

Cheyenne never wavered from her goal. "I want to work with kids, and if this is what I have to do I am going to do it, and I want to do it well," she said. "I always tell people I want to teach the whole child. It is more than teaching the alphabet. I want to teach them they are loved, and when they come into my classroom it is a safe space where it is OK to make mistakes."

Her approach to teaching honors and elevates the value of every child and is one she honed during hundreds of hours of classroom observation and student teaching in public schools, a Catholic School, and Village West where she worked virtually with children ages 3-6 who were receiving special education services.

"Before I was even admitted to the education program I was completing classroom observation hours and then I got to start working with students right away. It is something incredibly unique to St. Ambrose. It is something most universities do not have students do right away. I really enjoyed that hands-on learning," Cheyenne said.

"Also, the people at St. Ambrose are very genuinely nice," she said. "I had so much support from my professors, staff in the education program, financial aid, and Natalie (Woodhurst) in the Veterans Recruitment and Services Office. I had a wonderful experience. I am sad to be leaving but I am extremely excited, too."