Anica Haberstock came for the women’s varsity volleyball team but she stayed at Niagara College because of the educational opportunities it offered.

Thanks to her time at NC, Haberstock found both a school and a career path about which she is passionate.

We catch up with this BC native to find out what she loved about her time here, how it’s prepared her for what’s ahead, and what it took to be the Dean’s Award winner in her academic school.

Anica Haberstock
Hometown: Vernon, BC
Age: 20
Academic achievement: Dean’s Award Winner, School of Community Services, Educational Assistant – Special Needs Support (97.7% GPA)

How do you feel about receiving the Dean’s Award, achieving the highest GPA in your program?

I feel absolutely overwhelmed by this award, and extremely grateful for a school that recognizes the hard work, long nights, and late hours that its students have put into their studies.

What motivates you to succeed?

I have always been very intrinsically motivated; I am often most motivated by me! However, I have natural persistence and determination that have been refined by my parents, family and my experiences in athletics. I have high expectations for myself and I make sure that every test, assignment, and project is completed to the best of my abilities.

What led you to study at NC and to your program specifically? 

I was led to NC because of volleyball. I arrived here from BC to play on the varsity women’s team. Once I experienced education here, I really, really loved it. I knew I needed to stay for more than just one year. After completing my GAS certificate, I chose to enter the EA – SNS program as I knew that no matter what I pursued in the future, this program would be a great stepping stone and would help me develop a variety of crucial lifelong skills.

List any other postsecondary credentials (diplomas, degrees) you have achieved as well, institution you graduated from and graduation year:

General Arts and Science Certificate, Niagara College, 2019

Educational Assistant – Special Needs Support Diploma, Niagara College, 2021

Why are you passionate about your field of study?

I love helping empower learners of all ages as they increase their skills, knowledge, and self-belief. It sounds cliché, but it is so amazing to help a student replace “can’t” with “can.”

Do you have a specific career goal in mind? 

I am hoping to eventually pursue a career as a teacher or as a speech-language pathologist. These have been two goals of mine since I graduated high school. My completion of this EA – SNS program will definitely help me as I achieve this goal. It has provided me with extensive knowledge and insight of topics that most teachers or SLPs might not know as much about.

How did you find your program experience – any highlights?

My program was amazing, from our faculty and the hands-on learning to my classmates and our placement experiences. Placement was extremely beneficial because although I originally felt underprepared, I developed skills so quickly in the field. It was a challenging experience but was filled with so many rewarding moments that kept me coming back.

Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program? If so, tell us where, when and what you did, what you feel you gained from the experience?

I completed a placement in Niagara in the early spring of 2020, for a few months before schools shut down. I worked at St. Augustine Elementary in Welland and helped out in every classroom with a variety of learners. This placement truly opened my eyes to the need of EAs in the school system. This year, my work at a school here in BC doubled as a paid placement experience. I have worked in the kindergarten classroom all year and have gained extensive knowledge of the intricate wiring of a classroom, from prep and assessments to one-on-one tactics and systems for students in need.

Were you involved in any clubs/ teams or extracurricular activities during your time at NC?

I was so fortunate to be a part of the Niagara Knights Varsity Women’s Volleyball team during my 3 years at Niagara. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we did not receive a season last year. I also participated as a part of the NC Crew and served as the NCSAC Athletic Ambassador in my second year at Niagara.

Did you face any challenges over the course of your study? 

This year has been a struggle for me, just as it has been for nearly every other student. I have worked full-time all year. Finding time to complete assignments and tests to the best of my abilities was ridiculously difficult. I tried to have as much grace for myself as possible, but it was tough. I overcame these challenges by creating a schedule and sticking to it, staying organized with work and school responsibilities, and prioritizing.

What is it like to graduate at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Honestly, it feels strangely anticlimactic. I completed my diploma alone on a Wednesday morning, pressed submit on an exam at my dining room table, and barely felt any relief at all. I feel that COVID isolated me as a learner, even though thousands of other students across Canada have been in the same boat as me. That being said, I feel all the more proud of graduating in light of all the added stressors and setbacks that this last year has offered. I am also very thankful for all the work that Niagara College has done to make our graduation as exciting and “typical” as possible!

What do you think you will always remember about your time at NC? 

I will remember everything from my time at NC, but most importantly, I will remember the people: my volleyball teammates, my teachers, my coaches, my mentors, my peers. Everything that they taught me has already affected me so much and will likely impact me for years to come. 

What have you been doing since completing your studies?

Since completing my courses, I’ve continued working full-time. I work at a school three days a week as an EA in the kindergarten class, five nights a week at a winery, and I do some tutoring on the side. I have really loved gaining more experience in my field of study with my work in kindergarten.