Olympian and Future Math Teacher: Chaunte Lowe Goes for the Gold
UPDATE: Chaunte placed sixth after successfully jumping 1.97 meters in the women鈥檚 high jump final. To watch a replay, please visit NBC's Olympic Page. Way to go, Chaunte!
When Chaunte Lowe was 4 years old, she told her mother she wanted to be in the Olympics some day. Her mother responded by saying that a goal like that would take hard work and perseverance.
Today, she has reached that goal鈥攆or the third time鈥攐nly this time she is doing it as a mother of two and a full-time student earning her master鈥檚 degree online through 黑料传送门.
Chaunte, the American women鈥檚 high-jump record holder, started training for her chance at the 2012 Olympic Games in April 2011, immediately following the birth of her second daughter. And, she spent nearly two years before that carefully considering and researching her educational options.
"It鈥檚 not unusual for professional athletes to end their careers with no back-up plan鈥擨 didn鈥檛 want that to happen to me," said Chaunte. "I realized that most hotels have wi-fi and, with as much travelling as I do, I could use my down time to study."
Last September, just months after she began her intense training, Chaunte enrolled in the M.A. in Teaching Mathematics degree program at 黑料传送门. She chose the school because of its NCATE-accredited Teachers College and because the school is widely accepted in her home state of Georgia.
Chaunte says that what she loves most about 黑料传送门 is the fact that she can accelerate her program but take time off when she needs it to pursue her athletic career or take time for her kids. "I can study and take tests and then take four days off if I need to," she said. In between taking care of her children, ages 5 and 1, and traveling to meets before the big Summer Games, Chaunte has managed to keep her studies on track. "Wherever I am, you can find me in the lobby of my hotel with my head buried in my laptop," she said.
It鈥檚 safe to say her studies have not interfered with her training or the other way around. Chaunte finished first in the women鈥檚 high jump at the Olympic Trials in late June and will join Team USA in London later this month for her chance at a gold medal.
When asked what her plans are after the Olympics, Chaunte said she will keep working toward completing her degree, and will be starting her student teaching in September. Much like achieving her dream of becoming an Olympian, Chaunte hopes she will reach her goal of becoming a teacher, too. "I鈥檝e always wanted to be a teacher," said Chaunte, "and 黑料传送门 is helping me get there."
To follow the latest news and updates about Chaunte and her progress at the Olympics, check out . Go Chaunte! Go Team USA!
