Katy come from a long line of educators and she always promised herself she would never become a teacher!

Katy graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Mass Communications and Informational Science and a minor in Political Science. Katy became an event planner and really loved it.

All along though she felt that a piece was missing. Katy knew deep down she had a different calling. One cold winter day Katy remembers talking to her "Aunt Cheryl" while waiting to fill up her car with gas. Aunt Cheryl said, "I really think you should be a middle school teacher. You really could make a difference!" Katy went and substituted for her godfather the next week. The following Monday Katy went and registered for her first semester to obtain my Master's of Arts in Teaching in Middle Level Education from Converse College.

While in school to get her Masters, Katy taught a year of Eighth Grade English Language Arts in a private school. After graduation she entered my first year teaching in public school. This was a definite formative and challenging experience both professionally and personally. It helped mold her into the teacher she is today. The following summer she landed her dream teaching job at her dream school teaching 7th Grade English Language Arts! She has been there ever since!

Katy has been a middle school teacher for 11 years. She taught one year in 8th grade and ten years in 7th grade.

Here Katy is doing exactly what she ran from initially, teaching! Teaching is a calling that you can not ignore!

Stacy was born in Ohio on December 23, 1971 and when they handed her to her mom she was in a Christmas stocking. She attended Catholic Elementary school for grades 1-8. Stacy hated school and swore she would never be a teacher.

Stacy attended a public high school but still did not like it. Stacy told her dad, “I hate school!” He would reply, “Hate is a strong word. You don’t hate anything.” Stacy played volleyball, was in school musicals, and played saxophone in the band. Stacy was very involved in school, but she still did not like it.

Stacy went on to attend college at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She had no idea what her major should be. As she struggled with this decision, she thought about what she had done in the past. Stacy had taught swimming lessons throughout high school and college. She taught kids how to play the saxophone. Ironically, Stacy liked to teach.

Stacy moved to North Carolina in 1993 and taught 6th grade math and science for 7 years. She made a switch to elementary school because it was so much easier to be at the same school as her children. (Stacy has three amazing girls.) She taught 5th grade for 12 years. Stacy loved 5th grade, but always had an itch to return to middle school. Almost as soon as her girls left elementary school, so did Stacy. Her youngest daughter cried and said, “Mom, you can’t follow me!” She absolutely did follow her right to middle school. Stacy has taught 7th grade science ever since. Although Stacy did tease her daughter that she would follow her to high school, since she is certified through 9th grade.

Stacy has taught for a total of 26 years. She is certified to teach K-6 and 6-9 science. Her master’s degree in Library Science and certification to be a media specialist from Appalachian State. Stacy has been a National Board Certified Teacher for 20 years. She is happily “Stuck in the middle...school.”

Stephanie was born and raised in Western North Carolina. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. During 3rd grade, she had an incredible teacher that inspired her to become a teacher.

Stephanie graduated from Appalachian State University with her bachelors and masters degrees in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies.

Stephanie is currently a middle school teacher in Western North Carolina. She has taught 6th grade science and social studies, 7th grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies, and 8th grade English/Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. She enjoys learning about new technological tools to use in her classroom, and sharing those tools with her colleagues.

Stephanie is also a devoted wife and mom. She loves spending time with her family and their three dogs. She also enjoys reading young adolescent novels, making crafts, and traveling.