(Staff Member of the Month is voted on by Panther Press students.)
This month’s Staff Member of the Month goes to Mrs. Amy Garrett, one of Collinsville's kindergarten teachers.
Panther Press staff members Liz Guzman and Yareli Reyes sat down with Mrs. Garrett to learn more about her.
PP: How long have you’ve been teaching?
AG: I have been teaching here for 16 years!
PP: Have you ever thought about moving grades?
AG: Nope, I knew since I was in the 7th grade that I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher.
PP: Do you have any morning routines with your class? If so what are those routines?
AG: In the mornings, we all come together, and we sing a little morning song, then after I do a Herggerty, which is kinda like a phonics review, we get into our letter of the day.
PP: Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you would like to share?
AG: Since it is her senior year, I guess I could tell this one... one time Sophie Wills did run up to me and hugged me and pushed me down infront of everyone. It did make her cry a bit, but I was okay. It was quite funny actually!
PP: What is your favorite part about teaching?
AG: I love just being able to see the kids everyday and seeing them learn and grow from August to May. I also love being hugged by them!
PP: Why did you decide to pursue this career?
AG: I was a student aid in the seventh grade, and I just fell in love with teaching for a younger grade!
PP: What are some methods you use to check for understanding as you’re teaching?
AG: A lot of the time I would tell them to show me their work whenever we are doing a new letter. There are times where we also do assessments.
PP: Do you have any favorite movies from any genre that you would like to share?
AG: I’m a movie type of person. I love anything from classic movies to romantic movies. I will watch about almost everything except horror movies.
PP: What type of music do you listen to?
AG: I usually only listen to Christian music; that is what my radio [is always set on]. Every now and then I do listen to classic rock.
PP: What is your favorite food?
AG: Ohhh, I really love desserts!
PP: What do you usually do on the weekends
AG: On the weekends, I usually hang out with my family. I like to go to Huntsville a lot and spend time watching movies or going to Bridge Street, but I’m usually with my husband and son a lot.
PP: If you weren’t a teacher what career path would you have chosen?
AG: I don’t really know. I would probably work at a day care or maybe become a secretary. I really like doing stuff with organization!
PP: What’s the hardest part about teaching a bunch of young kids?
AG: The hardest part about teaching is having the kids get used to school routines during August. Most kids don’t really have an expectation of how school is supposed to be, so it’s hard to have them all learn the basics of school routines, manners and all sorts of stuff.
PP: How do you like to spend your own alone time?
AG: When I’m alone I like to watch my classical movies since my husband is not really into that stuff!
PP: Is there anything you would like to leave for the seniors that are graduating this year?
AG: I would like to leave the following to the senior class: Always trust in God and He will never let you down. Just really think about your decisions and everything you do has a consequence, good or bad. Just don’t think you have to compare your life with everyone else. Just enjoy life!
So Mrs. Garrett... did they do a good job of not making you sound crazy?
