Much of Betty Herring’s life has been on the move.

The Allen Community College biology instructor was born in Harrisonville, Missouri. Herring`s family moved a lot until she was five. When she was in the first grade, at the age of 6, Herring`s family decided to settle in Emporia. Having a passion for languages, Herring started learning Spanish in high school. Then she started studying advanced levels of the language. On the level four of Spanish, the teacher did not know what to teach his student so he gave her a bunch of books in Spanish to read.

“During the summer I studied lots of books. I taught myself. I listened to the music and watched soap operas because in soap operas everything is so exaggerated and they talk so slow you can understand them better,” said Herring, reminiscing about her high school years.

Before graduating, Herring had a chance to go to Panama for a week. She enjoyed that trip and later on, after she graduated from high school, Herring went to Panama for an entire summer on a mission trip. As part of the mission program, she had an opportunity to teach people English as a second language.

Returning from Panama, Herring started her higher education at York College in York, Nebraska, majoring in biology. After getting 96 credit hours Herring decided to go home to Emporia. She finished her bachelor`s degree at Emporia State University. Later on, Herring earned her master`s degree at ESU, as well.

She then taught biology at ESU as a graduate teaching assistant for two years.

“I did not have an actual job with Emporia State; it was similar to a work study position,” Herring explained. “I taught anatomy and physiology lab, then I taught biology lab for education majors there for a couple years.”

Herring always loved science. Before choosing biology, though, as her major at university, she was thinking about learning more languages or teaching English or literature.

“But I did not think I could make a career out of it, so I wanted something that I can have a variety of options to choose from for jobs. In case one thing does not work out, I have this option or that option,” said Herring.

It is the third year for Herring as a biology professor at Allen’s Iola campus. She loves teaching science; she realizes science is not for everyone but she likes seeing students try and do their best in her class.

“I love the ones that love science; I love that they love it. There are students that don’t like science, but I love to see people who are willing to learn. I like people with good positive attitudes, and I`ve been lucky as most of my students have a good attitude,” she said.

Herring lived in Iola for a year before moving to La Harpe, which is about seven miles east of Iola. Herring formerly worked part time at a nursing home in Iola, in addition to teaching at Allen. Now, she works when it is needed; in other words, she is on call.

Outside of work, Herring is a huge fan of books. Reading books is one of her biggest hobbies.

“I love fantasy. It is a nice escape from your life,” said Herring.

Besides books she likes to watch TV, hang out with her cats, and every once in awhile she will go dancing with her friends.

Asked what she would like to do if she was not a teacher, Herring said:

“If I could make money out of it I would love to be somebody who gets paid to go around and eat at all the restaurants. I would love to be a chef or a food judger just like Anthony Bourdain. He gets to cook, taste all kinds of food, and travel the world.”

Herring went to Panama years after her high school trip just for a vacation and to see people who she had met there. This summer, if she does not teach any classes, she would like to take an online class because she still likes to learn. Then Herring plans to read a lot of books and go camping somewhere.

Herring does not want to stop with languages. The next foreign language she wants to learn is German because it is different and one of her favorite rock bands sings in German.

Herring has some good advice for young students:

“These are some fun years of your life, so enjoy it. You need to enjoy what you`re going through now and what you experience now.”