Humantities i & ii
Hello! I suppose there is no better way to welcome you to my class than to tell you a little about myself. Afterall, I will be spending more time with you than your own parents this year, and because of that, it’s important you have a clear understanding of the things that motivate me, the heart behind what I do in the classroom, and the way my life experiences have shaped who I am as a teacher.
ABOUT ME I am a 2000 graduate of Kilgore High School - Go Bulldogs!! After high school, I attended Kilgore College, then Oklahoma State University, where I earned a degree in Journalism & Broadcasting (with an emphasis in Advertising.) I worked in the sales world for several years following college, but later attended cosmetology school to pursue a career as a hairstylist.
I truly believed I had found my passion working in a salon, but an unexpected opportunity to teach high school journalism led me in a completely new and, at the time, terrifying direction. As I begin my 9th year in the classroom, it is apparent this is where I belong. The years I spent in other industries prior to becoming an educator were certainly not wasted, as I have been able to draw from those experiences almost every single day as a teacher.
MY FAMILYEven more than my resume, my family is undoubtedly the biggest influence in my role as a teacher. I am married to the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. His name is Michael, and together we have built a beautifully chaotic life, full of laughter, faith, busy schedules & tons of fun! We have four beautiful, unique and amazing children - Kai, Sully, Auggie & Birdie.
I’ve been to some pretty incredible professional development seminars in my adult life, but nothing has prepared me for working with students like my own children. Each one of them have distinct personalities, with their own sets of emotions, behaviors & quirks, and it’s impossible to stare into the eyes of my students and not see my own children in them. This drives me more than any other aspect of teaching. Connecting with my students, making sure they know that above all else, I care about them, and equipping them with the confidence & tools they need to build the future of their dreams are the reasons I come back year after year. If ever I get weary of the “business” of being an educator, I think about you guys, and all that weariness fades away, leaving only love & admiration.
MY GOALS FOR THE YEAR As I’m sure you are aware, this school year is going to look different than years of the past. It’s a brand new model of school, but I am committed to making this as easy of a transition as possible. If you will commit to the same, I’m confident we’ll have a successful year, despite the challenges with which we’re being faced.
To simplify your coursework and modes of assessments, the majority, if not the entirety of my class will be driven by our digital learning platform, Google Classroom. If you were in my class last year, you should be familiar with Google Classroom already, but that will only enhance the hands-on, project-based learning environment that comes with Humanities.
My motto this year: REMAIN FLEXIBLE. If 2020 taught us anything, it was that we are not capable of controlling everything around us, and one of life's most valuable lessons is that of adaptability. I know there are worries about the educational gaps brought on by the pandemic, but I believe the ability to adapt in unusual and unprecedented times was a giant step toward maturity for our students.
CLOSING REMARKS The planning has been done, the lessons have been uploaded, the faculty & staff have been trained, but this place is lifeless without YOU! I am so thankful you are in this class this year - there is a reason you are here, and I can’t wait to get to know you!
ABOUT ME I am a 2000 graduate of Kilgore High School - Go Bulldogs!! After high school, I attended Kilgore College, then Oklahoma State University, where I earned a degree in Journalism & Broadcasting (with an emphasis in Advertising.) I worked in the sales world for several years following college, but later attended cosmetology school to pursue a career as a hairstylist.
I truly believed I had found my passion working in a salon, but an unexpected opportunity to teach high school journalism led me in a completely new and, at the time, terrifying direction. As I begin my 9th year in the classroom, it is apparent this is where I belong. The years I spent in other industries prior to becoming an educator were certainly not wasted, as I have been able to draw from those experiences almost every single day as a teacher.
MY FAMILYEven more than my resume, my family is undoubtedly the biggest influence in my role as a teacher. I am married to the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. His name is Michael, and together we have built a beautifully chaotic life, full of laughter, faith, busy schedules & tons of fun! We have four beautiful, unique and amazing children - Kai, Sully, Auggie & Birdie.
I’ve been to some pretty incredible professional development seminars in my adult life, but nothing has prepared me for working with students like my own children. Each one of them have distinct personalities, with their own sets of emotions, behaviors & quirks, and it’s impossible to stare into the eyes of my students and not see my own children in them. This drives me more than any other aspect of teaching. Connecting with my students, making sure they know that above all else, I care about them, and equipping them with the confidence & tools they need to build the future of their dreams are the reasons I come back year after year. If ever I get weary of the “business” of being an educator, I think about you guys, and all that weariness fades away, leaving only love & admiration.
MY GOALS FOR THE YEAR As I’m sure you are aware, this school year is going to look different than years of the past. It’s a brand new model of school, but I am committed to making this as easy of a transition as possible. If you will commit to the same, I’m confident we’ll have a successful year, despite the challenges with which we’re being faced.
To simplify your coursework and modes of assessments, the majority, if not the entirety of my class will be driven by our digital learning platform, Google Classroom. If you were in my class last year, you should be familiar with Google Classroom already, but that will only enhance the hands-on, project-based learning environment that comes with Humanities.
My motto this year: REMAIN FLEXIBLE. If 2020 taught us anything, it was that we are not capable of controlling everything around us, and one of life's most valuable lessons is that of adaptability. I know there are worries about the educational gaps brought on by the pandemic, but I believe the ability to adapt in unusual and unprecedented times was a giant step toward maturity for our students.
CLOSING REMARKS The planning has been done, the lessons have been uploaded, the faculty & staff have been trained, but this place is lifeless without YOU! I am so thankful you are in this class this year - there is a reason you are here, and I can’t wait to get to know you!
