Austin Lewis
Class of 2006
Junior/Senior High School History Teacher
Hometown: Smith Center, Kansas
I graduated from Hastings College in 2006 with a Secondary History Education degree and a Coaching Endorsement. Since then I have had two different teaching jobs; I am currently a Junior-Senior High School History teacher in Smith Center, KS. Not only do I teach, but I have the opportunity to coach the head boy’s basketball team as well as serve as the assistant track and Junior High football coach. I met my wife, Chandra, at Hastings College, and we have an amazing daughter named Kinslee. Chandra is also a teacher, right now teaching Fifth Grade Science at Red Cloud Public Schools in NE.
My emphasis in History at Hastings College was primarily American History, although I now teach World History as well. The Hastings History Department gave me a broad historical background which enables me to teach a variety of topics. For example, my senior thesis at Hastings College focused on the rise and decline of small towns on the American Great Plains. This background has helped me tremendously when teaching Kansas/ Nebraska History, and History of the Plains.
A couple of things that make the History Department at Hastings College unique are the relationships that form in smaller class settings, and the Department faculty’s willingness to modify things to fit your needs in other majors, endorsement areas, etc. Overall, it was a great experience!
