Graduation speaker seeks to make a difference in kids’ lives

Caelan Saunders, this year’s graduation speaker, poses in front of the Student Center. Shelby Beaty | Washtenaw Voice

by RUBY GO
Staff Writer

Caelan Saunders’ first time in college didn’t go so well.

“I think I was just happy to be out of my parents’ house. It felt like I really was an adult, but I don’t think I was,” he said. “I could barely take care of myself.”

That was four years ago in Kansas City, Missouri. Now, Saunders is this year’s graduation speaker and an aspiring social-studies teacher. While his transition from adolescence into adulthood was anything but easy, it is that very hardship that drives him to become a teacher.

Growing up, Saunders says his parents did the “bare minimum” in raising him: feeding him, clothing him, and giving him a roof over his head. In school, however, he says some of his teachers gave him the emotional support and understanding that was missing at home, which is why becoming a teacher is so important for him.

“Those teachers helped get me through many different years … it inspires me to be a role model for other people,” he said. “I need to be producing and presenting my best at all times.”

Saunders feels that many adults and people in authority tend to demand respect simply because they are older. But it is of the utmost importance to Saunders to actually be worthy of that respect.

“I really want to be somebody who deserves other people’s respect,” he said. “I could give up, but I wouldn’t want my kids to see me do that.”

In addition to caring a great deal for his future students, one of the most important goals for Saunders is to have his own children—ideally three or four, he said. His reasons for wanting to be a parent somewhat align with his reasons for wanting to be a teacher.

Upon reading several parenting books and delving into a bit of child psychology, Saunders came to the realization that parenting isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be. He says that there are too many parents and teachers who fail to support young people and treat them with kindness.

“It’s so easy to just listen and be empathetic and apologize,” he said. “I know that I could be that for people.”

But Saunders wasn’t always so noble. It wasn’t until he met his now fiance that he began to grow into the person he is today.

“He’s been really amazing in not just allowing me to figure out who I am, but also for supporting me in the little things,” Saunders said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be my partner.”

The two of them met back in Missouri while they were in college. Before meeting his fiance, Saunders feels that he was immature and did not know what direction his life would take. He says his decision to drop out of college at that time allowed him to sort out his internal conflicts, and he thanks his fiance for giving him unconditional love and support.

“He really believes in me more than anyone,” he said.

After WCC, Saunders plans on continuing his education for an additional two years at Eastern Michigan University to earn at least a bachelor’s degree. He is not yet sure if he wants to pursue a master’s degree. In an effort to finish school sooner, he is weighing the values of his available options, one of which includes student teaching during the day and attending classes at night.

When asked if he has any advice for current students, Saunders furrowed his brow and made a long, careful pause before giving an answer.

“Finding your motivation is really important, but even more important is finding a way to sustain it, which I think is harder,” he said. “A lot of people will get really excited about an idea and then lose all enthusiasm when there’s any kind of obstacle, so developing some kind of skill to sustain that motivation is really important, and it’s different for everyone.”