Dr. Causey's Biography
MY HISTORY...
I was born and grew up in Greenville, SC. I am a proud graduate of Greenville County schools -- Greenview Elementary, Hughes Middle School and a graduate of Greenville High School in 1992. I have been teaching 25 years, and this is my 16th year at Hillcrest High School. Prior to Hillcrest High School, I taught 8th grade social studies at Berea Middle School. I love teaching AND social studies. I graduated from Furman University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Secondary Social Studies. I also received my Master of Arts degree in Middle Level Social Studies from Furman University in 2005. In the Spring of 2010, I earned my Gifted and Talented Certification which enables me to teach Honors level courses. I earned my doctorate in Educational Leadership (K-12) in December 2021 from North Greenville University. I am excited about where this journey may take me as I finish out my career in education.
A FEW THINGS THAT MAKE ME PROUD...
In 2002, I was bestowed the honor of Berea Middle School's Teacher of the Year...that same year, I earned my National Board Certification in social studies....In 2004, I was named South Carolina Teacher of Excellence in Social Studies by the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies. In 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 my students nominated me and I received the Social Studies Teacher of the Year in the HHS Freshman Academy. At the end of 2017 I was named the Freshman Academy Teacher of the Year and I am extremely proud of the fact my own students nominated me for this award. These awards mean a lot to me because it was given to me by my own students who see me daily in the trenches of the classroom where there can be good days and bad days. I completed my re-certification for National Board in 2011 and 2021. I am certified in multiple financial education topics such as Paying for College, Banking and Budgeting, Psychology of Money, and Cryptocurrency. I am also a South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher. I try to incorporate a lot of finance topics in our curriculum as it fits. I also earned my Google for Education Level 1 certification in 2021. As you can see, I love to learn and identify as a bonafide nerd.
WHY I TEACH...
Teaching is one of the noblest professions a person can choose. I remember my favorite teacher in high school and the difference she made in my life... Mrs. Jonna Hamrick is the teacher that solidified my choice on teaching as a career. Within the last few years of teaching, I have had several students call me their "school mom." In this profession, I have come to understand how much of an influence I can be and my hope is that I make a difference in the lives of the students that I teach. I try to take a genuine interest in all my students by developing relationships while also educating them. When the whole child is developed, our children will be the future cornerstones of society.
MY FAMILY...
My husband, Robbie, is a financial management analyst at Ernst and Young and we have been blessed with five children. They are what give us life. Katie Adelle is 17 and Hannah Beth is 16. They are very sweet and full of life and keep us very busy. My oldest girls are here at HHS with me. We also have TWINS -- a boy, Rob, and a girl, Darby Ray --they are 12. And...our 5th daughter, Carrie Grace, is 10! We are overly blessed and love every minute of all our children and the crazy life we have. Now that I have my own children, I believe I have a better sense of meeting my student's needs in the classroom.
MY LIKES
In the little spare time I do have, I love reading, 80's and 90's music, coaching volleyball, taking pictures, watching movies, going places with my family, and being with my children. Family is a very important part of my life and we enjoy hanging out together.
I look forward to what the year has in store for us all!