Why did you decide to start teaching and what was your process of becoming one?  

I went to college for communications originally to work in advertising or public relations. I did that for a few years and I didn’t love it. I wanted to help people and didn’t feel like I was doing anything of any real significance. My older brother is a teacher, and I’ve always admired him. He teaches math at Yough, our alma mater. My best friend is a teacher as well who teaches at Greensburg Salem. Anyway, I found myself very envious every time we would all get together, because they seemed so excited about what they were doing professionally; they were enjoying their careers and they were making a difference. I thought a lot about going back to college to earn my teaching certificate, but I was apprehensive. I remember attending a conference where I had to give a presentation about the organization I was working for, and I should have been wanting to discuss business and network with the others, but instead I found myself talking more to my boss’s teenage son, who was reading Romeo and Juliet in his freshmen English course. I recall desperately trying to get him to see the value in it and feeling so satisfied when I made some progress. From there I decided to take the leap and go back to school. 

How many years have you been teaching? Over the years you’ve been teaching, what have you found to be most valuable and challenging part of teaching? 

I have been teaching for 19 years now. Building relationships has absolutely been the most valuable. I remember when I was in college, and the teacher of the year from Pennsylvania came to speak to us and they said something that always stuck with me. I don’t remember the exact words, but the jist was this-They said they taught students. They didn’t teach math. They did not teach science. They didn’t teach English. They taught students-people. That really resonated with me. I also remember early in my career hearing people talk about how elementary school teachers teach because they value the time with kids and that high school teachers teach because they value their content. I was a bit taken aback by it at the time. I have never seen it as either-or. As far as the most challenging part, I can’t necessarily pinpoint one area. I remember a veteran teacher telling me that education was like a pendulum, and the best way to thrive in the field is to hang on while always putting kids first. That being said, the Covid years were certainly challenging. As someone who values meaningful interactions with others, I found it challenging to build and foster a learning community via Zoom. Looking back at it, it was another swing of the pendulum. 

What is one teaching philosophy that you always strive to stick to and how do you think it impacts your students? 

I would again go back to that idea that I teach students not communications, or public speaking, or argument and debate. That has always been my strongest philosophy. I’m here to teach students and students are people. I try to teach my students to respect each other, to respect me, and to most importantly, respect themselves. In doing so, I think it allows for a more productive classroom enviroment. I think it can be an environment where students are comfortable and where I am comfortable. Even though that idea was kind of borrowed when I heard that other teacher speak all those years ago, I had to figure out what worked for me to. I remember when I first started teaching and people telling me “well you know you can’t smile until christmas,” and there were times I tried to be different. I tried to adopt other peoples’ strategies and it wasn’t authentic because I think sometimes we underestimate student’s ability to see us for who we really are. I am who I am, and I can’t be anything other than that. I keep in mind that all of my students are who they are too, and I’m trying to help them become the best versions of themselves. The most important thing I can do for my students is let them know that I see them as individuals and that I care about them.

Out of all of the classes you teach, which one is your favorite and why? 

I really don’t know that I could pick a favorite. They’re all similar in a way. I really enjoy honors communications I think because it’s a class that I’ve been teaching the longest, and I’ve been very involved in transforming the curriculum over the years to meet the students’ needs. I also really like that I’m able to get to know kids as freshman, and I can kind of play a part in helping them figure out all the different opportunities that they have here at the high school. One of the things I like about the course is that we cover the career education standards, so it gives me an opportunity to help the kids discover all of the different opportunities that they have here so hopefully by the time they’re ready to leave here, they feel satisfied with what they’ve done and they’re prepared to take the the next step. 

What do you think that Norwin Provides as a school district that many other district do not? What is special about Norwin? 

I think we do a lot of good things here. I think the most impressive thing we do is provide a lot of opportunities, such as AP classes and clubs.

Has there been any specifically memorable moments in your teaching career that has made you feel like you chose the correct profession? 

 I could name a lot, but the one that immediately comes to mind was when I was teaching when I was pregnant with my first son. It was in 2009, and my students surprised me by throwing a baby shower for me. The one girl’s Grandfather had hand-carved and painted a little wooden rocking horse. All of my students in my home-room along with others all signed their names on it, and they were so excited to give it to me. I will never forget those kids and all of the love!