Ball State Teachers College is home to passionate educators committed to excellence in teaching and research. Among them is Erik James Shaver, an Assistant Teaching Professor of Secondary Education in the Department of Educational Studies. His journey in education has been driven by a deep love for learning, a dedication to research, and a commitment to empowering educators. From his early inspirations to his current work, Dr. Shaver\u2019s contributions highlight the profound impact of great teaching.<\/p>\n
Dr. Shaver\u2019s love for education started at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got interested in teaching from my family; my aunt was a first-grade teacher, and my grandmother really advocated for education,\u201d he shares.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This early exposure set him on a path from teaching high school to pursuing his master\u2019s degree and, ultimately, a PhD\u2014all driven by an insatiable desire to keep learning about the field of education.<\/p>\n
Why Ball State?<\/span><\/h3>\n
For Dr. Shaver, choosing Ball State as his academic home was an easy decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe prominence of Teachers College was a major factor. It\u2019s well-known throughout the state and has a number of brilliant minds researching our field and preparing future teachers.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
But it wasn\u2019t just the institution\u2019s reputation that drew him in\u2014it was also the university\u2019s commitment to the community. \u201cI was really interested in the school-community partnerships when I came to work at Ball State seven years ago. I was hired as a university liaison to Southside Middle School, and that experience solidified my connection to this place.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Most Rewarding Part of Teaching<\/span><\/h3>\n
When asked about the most fulfilling aspect of his work, Dr. Shaver\u2019s answer is immediate: his students.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of them want to engage in conversations and think about their learning, their thinking, and how they will best work with their own students in the future. The best part of Ball State is my students. Period.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
His passion for student engagement extends beyond the classroom, fueling his current research.<\/p>\n
Exploring the Power of Pre-Service Teaching<\/span><\/h3>\n
Dr. Shaver\u2019s research focuses on pre-service teacher self-efficacy\u2014specifically, how early teaching opportunities impact their confidence before student teaching begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeing that the more students teach, the more they feel prepared for student teaching and beyond,\u201d he explains.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
His research is largely inspired by his students. \u201cDiscussions with my students about what they want in their pre-service teaching curriculum, what they are seeing in the field, and what they need to be prepared for student teaching\u2014these in-class conversations have led to our current research.\u201d<\/p>\n
Advice for Aspiring Educators<\/span><\/h3>\n
For those considering a career in education, Dr. Shaver offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice: Find your passion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe questions you want to ask may change over time. The topics you want to dig into may shift. But if you are passionate about working with people, and want to educate and uplift, then keep and stoke that passion. Everything else follows.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To his current and incoming students, his guidance is equally insightful: Balance is key.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet into a routine that works for you. Make sure that you have a good work\/life\/school balance. You are a whole person, and that means you need to attend to your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. But these need to be balanced with your learning and growth. Find that routine and strike that balance early.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also recommends finding an accountability buddy within their class or cohort. \u201cIt will make life much, much easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Life Outside the Classroom<\/span><\/h3>\n
When he\u2019s not teaching or researching, Dr. Shaver enjoys unwinding with sports, movies, board games, and video games. As a big fan of football, basketball, and baseball, he finds joy in both watching and discussing the games.<\/p>\n
A Moment of Pride<\/span><\/h3>\n
One of the most gratifying aspects of Dr. Shaver\u2019s career is seeing the full-circle impact of his work.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving my current pre-service students working with my former students in the field that I taught since I have arrived here at Ball State\u2014seeing them thrive and grow into the profession\u2014really does make me proud.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
His story is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and passion-driven research. Through his work, Dr. Erik James Shaver continues to inspire and shape the educators of tomorrow, one student at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Faculty Spotlight: Erik James Shaver on Passion, Research, and the Power of Teaching - Teachers College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/teachers-college\/2025\/02\/20\/faculty-spotlight-erik-james-shaver-on-passion-research-and-the-power-of-teaching\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Faculty Spotlight: Erik James Shaver on Passion, Research, and the Power of Teaching - Teachers College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ball State Teachers College is home to passionate educators committed to excellence in teaching and research. Among them is Erik James Shaver, an Assistant Teaching Professor of Secondary Education in the Department of Educational Studies. 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