Teacher Feature

In this feature article, Aylah Graves recognizes and appreciates one of our very own GPHS teachers and Scroll Advisors, Mrs. Tyrrell.

Teacher Feature

By Aylah Graves

As the school year comes to a close, we wanted to recognize the person who works so diligently to make this newspaper possible. Mrs.Tyrrell is one of our teachers here at GPHS. She teaches Freshman and Junior English, along with our Journalism I and II classes. She is also the advisor for The Scroll club.

Tyrrell always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She says, “My mom was a teacher and when I was two, I would set up stuffed animals in front of her whiteboard and teach to the animals. It turned into something real when I just started mentoring people and I loved to help people learn.” She began to teach Journalism because of her grandmother who was also a journalist. When she was interviewed here at GPHS, admin asked if she wanted to teach journalism and she took it. Tyrrell states, “I always believed education should involve free thinking and connect to the real world, which journalism allows for.”

One of the most essential skills of being a teacher is the ability to empathize with students and to love them through their hardships. According to one of her sophomore students, “Tyrrell always makes me feel welcome and loved. She listens to what we have to say and tries to advise us the best way she can.” Having a teacher who strives to be a person of stability and understanding is what truly makes a difference in the lives of students. Tyrrell states, “You have to show heart even when someone is having a bad day. You can’t take things too personally. It’s your job to see people as individuals and help them grow as individuals even when you feel overwhelmed.”

Tyrrell deeply values her students. She says, “Students are often the most interesting, unjaded people in the entire world because the world isn’t closed to them yet and only opportunity is in front of them.” High schoolers have many aspirations and are often very hopeful for the future. One of her Junior students states, “She makes sure we know how proud she is of us and hopeful she is for us. She pushes us to be our best and she supports us when it gets hard.”

Being a teacher comes with difficulties and various challenges. One of the biggest challenges for her would be that “Sometimes, people have really hard lives and I can't help to fix that. I just have to teach them how to utilize that to grow into a powerful adult. Sometimes, it's hard to get people to see their own potential.” It is challenging to show people just how much they can accomplish and to get them to work for that.

She has a lot of advice for students that varies, depending on your situation and who you are. The most valuable piece she would give to all high schoolers is: “I always say keep your door open. Your job as a high schooler is to take every opportunity you have in front of you but also have fun and don’t take life too seriously.” Be as involved as you can and try to make high school the best it can be. Don’t take on too much, however, and allow yourself to have breaks. Your experiences can only be as good as you work for them to be.

Teachers can be our strongest role models and make life lasting impressions. It is critical to show our appreciation for them all that they do for us. They teach us academically, but also help us to grow into the best versions of ourselves. Showing your appreciation for them makes a difference. Teachers make a difference. Thank you, Ms. Tyrrell , for everything you do and have done.

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