How long have you been a teacher?
I have been a teacher for 23 years.
How long have you been teaching at WRHS?
This is my 19th year at Wachusett.
Who or What inspired you to teach?
I had a wonderful math teacher in school who made me consider being a math teacher. I also felt like I could break down concepts that may be difficult in ways students could understand.
Are you involved in other activities at the school/community?
This year I teach the math part of an SAT course offered at WRHS.
What is your favorite topic to teach?
My favorite topic to teach is Right Triangle Trigonometry.
What is your least favorite thing about being a teacher?
Learning one hundred new names each year.
What is the most important life lesson or advice you would give your students?
Just to try your best each day. Don’t worry about what someone else is doing stay true to yourself.
What is one thing you want new teachers to know?
They’re not in this alone. There is always someone they can get to, to ask a question.
What do you think all teachers should keep in mind?
You never know what’s going on in someone’s life so, don’t jump to any conclusions.
What do you think makes you a good teacher?
I think I’m pretty understanding and I break things down to help it make sense for students. I try to start each day new and on a positive note.
What is your funniest teaching story?
I had students write down something about themselves that no one would know and we would have to guess who it was. I unfolded one of the responses and saw ‘I have a really big wenis’. I said I’m not reading this one. And a student pipes up from the back ‘No, no, a wenis is this piece of skin on your elbow’ and his was unusually large. I learned a new word that day.
What is a random fact about you that would really surprise most students?
I once completed an IronMan.
Student Quotes:
“She helped overcome my struggles and pass the MCAS as a Sophmore. I appreciated her help, kindness and willingness to help me learn through my struggles,” – Jaydin Murphy.
