1.)How long have you been working at GCAA?
“This is my third year here at GCAA”

2.)What made you want to be in the English department?
“I have a background [in] newspaper and I really want to help children improve their writing skills.”

3.)Do you enjoy teaching the grade you teach now?
“ Yes, I enjoy 7th grade. I taught it before [at] previous schools. I really like the text [that’s involved] in the 7th grade Curriculum.”

4.)What made you want to become a teacher?
“When I was working as a newspaper reporter, I covered the education feed during that time. I got to talk to a lot of people that had a very strong feeling regarding how education was running and working.”

5.) Where have you worked before working here at GCAA?
“My first position as English teacher at Festus High School [teaching] 9th graders and honors junior classes. Then, I worked at a North County Christian School for several years. 7th, 8th and 9th graders along with a journalism class and study skills with 7th graders.”

6.) What are your favorite hobbies outside of school?
“I really like playing cards, watching Mizzou Tiger football and being around my kids and family… and running.”

7.)What schools did you attend for your degrees?
“My Journalism degree Is from University of Missouri, I got my teaching certification through University of St.Louis and I just completed my master’s degree in Education and Administration this past May 2022.”

8.)What do you like the most about working on the yearbook?
“I like that I get to [input] a lot of my journalistic knowledge… and help students creating captive stories that will be [featured] in the yearbook.”

9.)What were you afraid of starting this new year at GCAA?
“I was a little worried that I had bitten off more than I could chew, and that I was in the English department chair with a lot of new Fresh Faces in my department, and with the new students and teaching a new grade level. At least at GCAA, it felt like al ot but i have found a balance.”

10.) What is your favorite thing about GCAA?
“I love the atmosphere and the environment of working at an arts school, where you get to see a lot of kids that are super passionate and show their skills and talents and I also really love the people I work with. And I love the kids.“

11.) What has been the most challenging part about working at GCAA?
“The hardest part is some of the difficult things that students go through and trying to find the best way to support them.”

12.)What is your title at GCAA?
“I am English department chair from Grade 6 to 12, I oversee eight teachers in the building that are in the English Department and Foreign language. I am also the yearbook advisor [and] 7th grade teacher.”