Lauryn Patrick

Q. What is your title at GCAA?
“High School English Teacher.”

Q. How many years have you been in education?
“This is my first year teaching in a classroom! However, I was a writing/educational consultant at Saint Louis University for two years.”

Q. Where did you get your certification/teaching degree?
“I got my bachelor’s degree in English literature from Saint Louis University with two minors, the first in philosophy and the second in gender and sexuality studies. I am currently working on my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Saint Louis University, and I have my 9-12th grade ELA teaching certificate through the state of Missouri.”

Q. Why did you decide to go into education?
“I went into education for the money, obviously.”

Q. Where did you work before getting a job at GCAA?
“My previous job was at the City Museum. I was “floor staff”. I suffered every day.”

Q. Why did you choose to apply/accept a position at GCAA?
“I applied for a position at GCAA because I wanted to teach at a school that emphasizes the value and importance of the arts.”

Q. How do you think your previous experience (whether in education or not) will benefit you as a teacher at GCAA?
“Having worked in customer service for many years of my life, I felt well prepared in terms of managing my reactions to others. That is to say, if a student has an outburst, I’m not going to react or give that same energy back. I am very much able to set my own emotions aside while others let theirs take over.”

Q. Why is teaching important to you?
“Teaching is important to me because it’s given me a sense of purpose and direction in life. It makes me happy to help others succeed with their goals, especially teenagers and young adults. It makes me feel good to know I’m doing work that actually matters and has real, concrete results.”

Q. What has been your favorite part of working at GCAA?
“My favorite part of working at GCAA has been the students! They’re creative, passionate, hilarious, and inspiring. They are just as rewarding as they are challenging.”

Q. What has been the most challenging part of working at GCAA?
“The most challenging part of working at GCAA relates to my inexperience as a classroom teacher. As a first-year teacher, I’m starting at ground zero–building my lesson plans from scratch. That’s been difficult, even with the resources and assistance from everyone in the district.”

Q. What do you look forward to most this school year?
“I am looking forward to seeing my freshmen students mature emotionally, socially, and academically as they grow this year and matriculate.”

Q. What is something you want your students to remember you by?
“I hope they remember that I was the fliest teacher to ever walk these hallowed halls. Okay, not really. I hope they remember the weird little things I do so they can have a laugh about how strange their high school English teacher was years down the line.”

Q. What is a hobby you have outside of school?
“My favorite hobby is actually watching television. I know–bad answer as an English teacher. But it’s the truth! I watch a lot of TV. It’s not the only thing I do, however. I also enjoy distance running, playing video games such as Minecraft or Animal Crossing, and spending time with family and friends. I’m kind of boring.”

Q. Anything else you think you would like me to know about you?
“You must know, surely you must know, it was all for you…LOL, just kidding. That’s a quote from Pride and Prejudice. If you have further questions about me, please consult your local occultist and we can chat via crystal ball.”