Where do you teach? Lyon County Middle School
What subject(s)/grade(s) do you teach? 6th, 7th, and 8th Reading & English
How many years have you taught? 13
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because it’s honestly the only career I’ve ever considered. All of my jobs before going to college involved teaching and working with kids in some way or another. I grew up with family in the school system (my grandmother was a high school secretary for 40 years), so school was also a very familiar place to be. What really cemented it for me was when I was teaching a class at a summer camp, and the kids were completely engaged in what I was teaching. I knew 100% in that moment that I had to be a teacher.
What has been the best part of teaching that you didn’t expect when entering the profession? I didn’t expect to be teaching in a different age group than what I went to college for. When I graduated from Murray State University, I received my certification in elementary education. I spent 2 years teaching at the elementary level, when I realized that age group wasn’t really suited for me. I used the TCHQ process to add middle school language arts and math certifications. I’ve been teaching middle school ever since.
What is one thing you wish non-teachers knew about what you do? We work a lot more than you think we do. (I’m typing this at 4:30 on a Sunday afternoon).
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a teacher? The greatest accomplishment as a teacher is when you see past students, and they tell you, “Thank you.”
Favorite thing to do when you aren’t teaching? When I am not teaching, I am a mom to Callie who is 9, and Nova who is 2. They keep me pretty busy! When I am not a busy mom, I am obsessed with Disney and RunDisney. I have done every RunDisney event!
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? If I had a superpower it would be the ability to time travel. I think it would be amazing if you could go back in time and see or meet important historical figures.