Elaine Gard

Major: Early childhood education
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

As a military spouse, Elaine Gard was eager to move back to Portales so that she could pursue her education in tandem with her husband Tory’s career.

“The financial support and opportunities were here,” says Elaine, who earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education in 2001. She followed up with a master’s in reading and literacy in 2004.

Elaine is now in her third year as a special education teacher at Steiner Elementary. She inspires both her first-graders and her daughter Paige, age 4. “She’s already talking about going to college.”

Growing up in a Navy family that moved across the country, Elaine appreciated the support and friendliness of eastern New Mexico. She met her husband at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis in 1992, and they chose to return in 1999 after he served in Italy and Korea.  

“I’ve found a great community at Eastern and continue to benefit from faculty who support me as I go after my dreams and goals.”