Devin Godby

Russell County
Russell County High School

I actually had no intentions of becoming a teacher. I didn’t know WHAT, exactly, I wanted to do with my life, but teaching wasn’t on my radar. As I was completing my senior year in college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish, someone reached out to me and said my high school Spanish teacher was retiring and I should apply for her position. They hired me. After a very intense year, I earned my Master’s in Education as well as my certificate to teach K-12 Spanish. Those first few years were hard. I didn’t know what I was doing, didn’t know how to manage a classroom, struggled with discipline and planning, but even that very first year I knew I was meant to be in the classroom. I struggled as a beginning Spanish student, so watching students “get it” was so rewarding. Every student who comes through my classroom impacts me in some way. I learn from them, and each year I grow and improve. I hope that never stops. I love meeting students each year, learning their stories, helping them learn, and watching them mature and grow; there’s just nothing like it.

During a faculty meeting three years ago, administrators asked if anyone would be interested in teaching some education classes. I nearly knocked over my chair as I shot my hand in the air in an attempt to volunteer before anyone else had the chance. These past three years have been the most impactful of my career. I truly love teaching and have a great passion for education in general. There’s no better job! Now that I not only get to share my passion for Spanish but also my passion for preparing future educators, I may never come out of the classroom!!