About Dr. Causey

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 28 years, and this is my 19th year at Hillcrest High School.  Before 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 earned 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 (EdD) 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 my career in education, possibly as a professor in higher education! I plan to be around Hillcrest for at least 6 more years until my last daughter graduates. 

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 Social Studies.  In 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 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 students nominated me for this award.  These awards mean a lot to me because it was given to me by my 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 the National Board in 2011 and 2021.  I am also certified in multiple financial education topics such as Paying for College, Banking and Budgeting, Psychology of Money, Behavioral Economics, Taxes, Credit, Career, Consumer Skills, Investing and Cryptocurrency.  I am also a South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher through the University of SC School of Economics.  I try to incorporate a lot of finance topics in our Freshman Success curriculum as it fits.  I also earned my Google for Education Level 1 and 2 certification in 2024.  As you can see, I love to learn and identify as a bonafide nerd.

WHY I TEACH...

Teaching is one of the most noble 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 who solidified my choice of 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 I hope 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 on an individual basis.   When the whole child is developed, our children will be better prepared to 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 19 and Hannah Beth is 18. They are very sweet and full of life and keep us very busy. Katie and Hannah both attend Anderson University and both are preparing to be a nurse.  We also have TWINS -- Rob and Darby who are 14 and are freshmen here at Hillcrest.   Our 5th daughter, Carrie Grace, is 12 and she attends Hillcrest Middle. 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 of sunsets and pretty things with my daughters, 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.  My big, little family are my best friends!

I look forward to what the semester has in store for us all!