Edge Hill Student overcomes family tragedy to follow her dream of becoming a teacher
by Educate Magazine July 21, 2022 · Sixth Form & College News / Uncategorized
An Edge Hill University student is celebrating after overcoming family tragedy to achieve a First Class Honours degree and moving one step closer to her dream of becoming a teacher.
Ellesha Steadman, from Farnworth in Bolton, was inspired to study education after her own experiences with inspirational teachers who pushed her to achieve and follow her dreams.
She said: “I’ve wanted to be a teacher since the age of 13. I struggled in school and was often seen as the class clown but I managed to turn my education around after having an amazing teacher who told me I could succeed and ever since then I’ve wanted to be just like her. In the end I knuckled down and got all my GCSEs and A-levels.”
Now, at the age of 20, Ellesha is the first person in her family to go to university and will graduate with a First Class BA (Hons) in education and religion. She already has plans to continue her education and study a PGCE at Edge Hill.
Reaching graduation hasn’t been easy for Ellesha and she’s faced a number of hardships throughout her time at university, only getting through with a combination of grit and determination and the support of her family, friends and tutors.
Ellesha said: “I caught COVID-19 in my first year, back then it was brand new, no one knew anything about it and I was really poorly just as I was doing my end of year assignments. Amazingly I still managed to get a first on all of them.
“Then, in second year my mum and dad separated which is obviously a challenge for any family. And in my final year we faced a couple of really difficult bereavements. My nan, who I’d helped care for, passed away on Christmas eve and just a month after that we lost my baby nephew too.
“There were days that I had to drag myself into university, but I always wanted to get my work done and my tutors looked out for me and made sure I was okay.”
“My family are all are over the moon. They wanted me to graduate so much and they’ve been so supportive. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to my tutors and the university who offered me loads of support, helped me to meet all my deadlines and always made sure I was okay.”
Ellesha also offered some advice for other students going through tough times.
“I’ve discovered that anything in life that matters is worth working at. Getting a degree can be hard but it is definitely doable, especially with the support of my tutors who helped me to manage the stress of life, work and university.
