By Nikita Britt, contributing writer

Valerie Cato, temporary full-time instructor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, recalls attending summer camp at Augusta State University where she learned how to swim in the campus pool. Ms. Cato now finds it ironic that she not only teaches here, but is also a graduate of ASU.

Ms. Cato says the most awkward thing about the transition from student to professor at Augusta State is that the people who taught her are now her colleagues, but she sees each as a terrific resource and colleague. She enjoys the fact that there has been no need for her to feel isolated, because the faculty know her and she knows them.

Dr. James Garvey, Dr. Walter Evans, and Dr. Peggy Yonce (who is now retired) taught her about bigger ideas, understanding human nature, and more in-depth concepts, which is what she wanted to learn. These professors were instrumental in developing her interest in English. She says she knows teaching English is what she is meant to do. She believes she has found her own adventure, although she says she isn’t as adventurous as her dad.

“My dad was a teacher in so many ways. He taught in the military, then he became an administrator and faculty member at MCG. And I guess it rubbed off on me. I think that’s why he wanted to teach, because it is an adventure. It’s different every day; it’s just wonderful to be a part of that, and students let you be a part of that. I feel fulfilled,” says the Maine native.

It took her a while to find the right path; however, Ms. Cato had no doubt that she wanted to teach adults. She believes that spending a lot of time with her parents made her gravitate toward higher education because they didn’t get that same opportunity.

“It was something they really pushed and pushed and pushed, and I understand that and appreciate it,” she says.

With her dad coming from a history of coal mining and her mother being Native American, Ms. Cato says they were tough people who had a sense of survivorship. They instilled a go-get-it attitude in her that gives her what it takes to meet a challenge.

One challenge she plans to face is her work toward earning a doctorate, but for now she says, “I just kind of do my thing and go home.” She teaches Humanities I and II, English 1101 and 1102, and Regents Writing. She’s very involved with the Freshman English Committee and the Young Writers Contest.

Ms. Cato received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Augusta State University, a master’s degree in English from Georgia Southern University, and a specialist degree in English education from Augusta State.

Name: Valerie Cato

Position: Full-time instructor, Department of English and Foreign Languages

How long at ASU: 5 years

What I like about ASU: “I like the freedom that you have in the university setting. Even though I know I’m on the job, I feel like I have this freedom to explore, even though it’s structured. I still have that freedom that I need and crave.”

Hobbies: Spending time with her husband of 11 years or with family and gardening. “I like the order that gardening can offer. It’s peaceful; it’s nice, because the results you get are usually good change, not bad change.”

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