Junior Peyton Ramsey has had a busy career at IU. As a student athlete, he’s juggled practice and games with school work. As quarterback for the football team, he’s also found himself at the center of attention, both when the team is successful and going through challenges. It’s lessons like that from the field that translate to the classroom, where Ramsey, a secondary social studies major, will one day teach.

“I have learned that adversity is inevitable, and the best teachers and players are the ones that can adapt and overcome the adversity,” he said.

Ramsey didn’t start his time at IU as an education major. Instead, as he took a variety of classes, he realized he wanted a career that would be impactful.

“I have a natural desire to lead and help people grow. To have the opportunity to educate, encourage and inspire young people every day was an idea that seemed natural to me,” he said.

His leadership has been obvious during recent football games: with starting quarterback Michael Penix out due to injury, Ramsey has stepped up to lead the team to victory. The football team is now bowl-eligible for the first time in Coach Tom Allen’s tenure.

As he balances the rigorous schedule of practices and games as part of IU’s athletic programs, Ramsey has learned time management during the course of his career as a student-athlete by using a weekly routine and sticks to it to keep on task. Like many in education, Ramsey grew up with teaching being a priority close to home: his father is a teacher.

“Watching the way he has made a difference throughout an entire school community was influential in my decision (to become an education major),” he said.

Ramsey chose to teach social studies because, as he points out, it’s a subject that pertains to our everyday lives.

“Social studies is so much more than the memorization of historical dates and identifying areas on a map,” he said. “It naturally encompasses democratic ideals through its curriculum.”

As Ramsey looks toward his future classroom, one goal sticks out: remaining true to himself.

“I believe that is important to always remain true to who you are. More times than not the only voice that matters is yours and how you use it to inspire and lead young people,” he said.