In 1987, Heather Eaton took her first footsteps onto Daytona State College as a dual-enrolled student. It was then she had fallen in love with her passion for literature. Many years later, she is now approaching her twenty-fifth year teaching at the college she once attended.
Professor Eaton’s day starts at 5 am. During this time, she enjoys practicing yoga, drinking coffee and spending time with her son. Part of her day consists of teaching students online, and in person at the Daytona State campus. The other half of her day is dedicated to her 11-year-old boy, who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Although she has been teaching for almost 30 years, surprisingly, she did not always want to be a professor. Dr. Heather had originally gone to school to be a lawyer. She was attracted to the idea of researching and solving problems. And in her own words “arguing.” “I have always been a word nerd,” said Eaton. She went on to explain it was not until her junior year after she had changed her major a number of times, that she realized teaching students literature was what she wanted to do. Soon after, she went on to receive her Ph.D. in Text and Technology, and earned degrees in English and World Literature.
Today, years after first finding her love for literature, Eaton still radiates passion when teaching a class. “I wanted to talk about ideas and literature structures with other people. I wanted to be inspired and connect with others through words,” she explained. Professor Eaton also shared when she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys spending her free time on her couch watching the Great British Bake Off. “I’m obsessed with baking. I’m always looking for new recipes, and have over 150 cookbooks,” she said.
One piece of advice she hopes for her students to take away is from Joseph Campbell. “Follow your bliss.” Do your own research, and always pay attention. “Never second guess, don’t take the easy way, find a mentor,” she said.