Teacher Feature

In this article, Aylah Graves writes about what it means to be an outstanding teacher by featuring one of our own GPHS teachers, Ms. Albertson.

Teacher Feature

By Aylah Graves

Ms. Albertson has been a teacher for 14 years and she is an English teacher here at GPHS. She teaches Sophomore Essentials English, Sophomore Advanced English, and a Film as Literature class for seniors. She has taught film for 5 years and ran the GED after-school program for 5 years.

Ms. Albertson has become a beloved teacher by many of her students: past, and current. One of her former students says, "Ms. Albertson is easygoing and she actively pursues relationships and genuine connection with her students.” The general consensus of students is that her teaching is well-structured and organized, which makes engagement come easily. According to one of her current English students, “her class is a safe learning space, and Ms. Albertson cares about our personal lives. She connects literature with real life in a really direct way and makes learning fun.”

Her love for teaching is shown through everyday interactions in her classroom. She became a teacher because "I love reading and writing obviously and I want to share that with others. I want to teach people how to connect with books and use them as a tool to navigate their lives.” Her favorite thing about teaching is her love for high school students. “High School is a great time in people's lives and I want to help kids grow into their own person.” She also enjoys “discussing with students and learning about them as individuals and watching how they grow and what their lives bring.”

With the pandemic, everyone has experienced challenges. Teachers were hit hard with the shutdowns and the new adaptations to be made. Ms. Albertson says the hardest part of the pandemic was being a mom with a child and having to be the best mother she can be while still trying to be the best teacher she can be. “There were many new responsibilities added and it was difficult to balance at times,” she says.

Being a teacher for some time brings wisdom from experience. The biggest piece of valuable advice she can give to high school students is, “balance is key. Take care of yourself even outside of high school. Your well-being is so important. Also, have fun. This is such an amazing time in your lives so enjoy it.” She also wants all of you to know that “everything has been hard but try to look at the positive and give grace to everyone because everyone is going through something so just be kind and forgiving.”

All of our teachers are so valuable to the lives of students. We appreciate all of the work you do and how much you love and support us. Teachers do not have the easiest job, and giving gratitude is so meaningful whenever you can give it, so a special thank you Ms. Albertson for all that you do.

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