Getting to know the GNA teachers who had made an impact on me throughout my life.

Before I get started with the questions and responses I have received, I would just like to explain more about the topic I chose and why. The reason I have decided to go with this topic is because I have realized that the best teachers never ask for credit for being such amazing people and influences. One would think you could never get the right amount of patience, dedication, and helpfulness, but I was fortunate enough to get all three from these teachers. I have picked eight of the most influential teachers who have made an impact on me.

Mrs. Barrera has been one of the most amazing teachers who made an impact on my life. She made me enjoy math again, encouraging me to do better and telling me it was okay to make mistakes. She has always pushed me to do better. She always helped me understand things better when it wasn’t always easy. I still ask her to this day about math work when I struggle to understand something that has been explained to me on multiple occasions. I ask Mrs. Barrera and she explains it to me and I understand it more easily. 

Mrs. Barrera:  

1. What subject/grade level do you teach?

8th Grade Pre-Algebra and 8th Grade Algebra 

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done?

If I didn’t pursue teaching I wanted to be a lawyer or an actuary. 

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I love getting to know the students and helping them understand a subject that some of them may not have felt they could do well in. I love that every day is different and you never know exactly what to expect. Every group of students is different and they all have their own personalities. I love that I get to be a part of their middle school experience.

4. How do you prepare students for real life?

One of the things that I have tried to do for years is give students a taste of the real world by having them complete a budgeting project at the end of their 8th-grade year. They get to pick a job and are given a salary for one month. They then pick out an apartment, car, and different living expenses associated with real life. The goal at the end is to make more money than you spend. We also talk about the dangers of credit cards and debt. 

5. What does being a mentor mean to you?

Anyone can be a mentor. A mentor is someone who helps you succeed. They encourage you to be a better version of yourself. We all need people in our corner to stand behind us and push us to reach our potential. 

Mr. Budnick has had an amazing impact by treating us like young adults and trying to help us understand why it is so important to be responsible. He always made sure everyone was ready and helped if we ever needed anything. Mr. Budnick has definitely been one of the most fun teachers I have had. He tries to make things fun in the classroom to make us want to learn. He always made sure that we understood the concept we were going over, asking us if we understood and if not he would help every one of his students without a sweat. 

Mr. Budnick: 

1. What subject/grade level do you teach? 

I teach eighth-grade students English.

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done? 

I had thought of being a mail carrier or a priest in the past.

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I enjoy interacting with young minds to motivate and enlighten them while having some fun at the same time.

4. How do you prepare students for real life?  

I help students by frequently reminding them that they are young adults, and I will treat them as such. Also, I emphasize “The Golden Rule,” treat others the way that you want them to treat you in return.

5. What does being a mentor mean to you?  

Being a mentor means teaching the next generation the skills that they will need to thrive in our ever-changing, modern world, including communication and social skills. Technology can never replace these interpersonal skills in life.

Mrs. Carey has been the most inspirational teacher I have ever had, and I look back constantly at the time I had with her in my second-grade year. Mrs. Carey is the sweetest and most patient teacher I have come to know and love. I could not say one bad thing about her. Even now, being a sophomore, I continue to see her and talk to her every chance I get, whether I see her in public or go to her class in first period. She always has a positive attitude. Mrs. Carey is a mentor I have looked up to since I had her and – still do. She makes me want to do better and seek my goals. Mrs. Carey has been a great inspiration. I hope she continues to inspire the younger generations, and I hope they enjoy their years in school like I have. I still love talking with Mrs. Carey when I can. She is always there to help with anything she can.

Mrs. Carey: 

1. What subject/grade level do you teach? 

I teach second grade/all subjects (Reading, Math, Spelling, Handwriting, Science, Social Studies).

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done?

If I had not been a teacher, I would have liked to do something in the medical field.

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs. Seeing my second-grade students grow daily in the classroom is so amazing to see. Watching them excited about learning new things is a feeling like no other.  Seeing my past students grow up to be successful adults makes me so proud.  One of the best feelings is when I speak with past students and they remember specific details about what we have done in class in second grade.

4. How do you prepare students for real life?

Academically, I teach them money, how to tell time, read, write, and many other skills that they will need to master in order to become successful adults. Primary teachers also help students learn how to tie shoes, zip coats, use scissors, hold pencils, put on band-aids, and other life skills that they will need to continue to use throughout their lives and eventually pass on to their families.

5. What does being a mentor mean to you? 

Being a mentor is being a great role model. It is being someone others look up to and who changes the lives of others.

When I had Mrs. Kowlski in fifth grade, she made me enjoy math, science, and social studies. She has been an amazing teacher to me and many others. She made me want to succeed in math alongside Mrs. Barrera. They are the reason I have decided to challenge myself in mathematics and want to further my education in mathematics. Mrs. Kowlski has been an inspiration. Whether it came to doing social studies projects to playing math games, she made sure we understood everything.  

Mrs. Kowalski:

1. What subject/grade level do you teach? 

 I currently teach 5th-grade science and social studies. 

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done?

If I did not pursue teaching, I would have become an architect. 

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I enjoy witnessing the growth and development of students. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see them grasp new concepts, gain confidence, and develop a passion for learning.

4. How do you prepare students for real life?

In my classroom, I help students prepare for real life by encouraging independence.  Students are provided with opportunities to make choices and take responsibility for their own actions.  I also focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. This is why I love science; it fosters curiosity and discovery.

5. What does being a mentor mean to you? 

Having the ability to help students grow educationally and personally is a feeling that is indescribable. I get the chance to empower children to gain confidence and work toward reaching their full potential as they get older. Being a mentor comes along with many emotions and challenges but the moments when a student has a breakthrough or when they express appreciation for your guidance can be truly gratifying.

Mrs. Neely was a major influence during my seventh and eighth-grade years. I would always go to her classroom during homeroom in eighth grade. Mrs. Neely was always caring. She always tried to defuse any disagreement or problem she knew about. She always tried to make things fun in the classroom by cracking jokes or using a ball to toss around to answer questions about the topic. She made me enjoy science and made me want to see more about science. Mrs. Neely always made it fun to learn science in the classroom. She always let us watch NASA space take-offs. She gave us fun projects to do in and out of the classroom. She was definitely one to make it fun to learn. She has inspired kids who didn’t like let alone enjoy science to love it. 

Mrs. Neely: 

1. What subject/grade level do you teach?

 7th grade Science.

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done? 

Pretty much anything that has to do with Earth science. Originally I had been accepted to Penn State with a major in Astrophysics. I would honestly probably be studying volcanoes or storm chasing!

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching? 

My favorite part is when kids get really into the content we are learning. Seeing them understand it and foster amazing conversations amazes me. I also love getting to know the kids and watching them develop a greater understanding of the world around them. 

4. How do you prepare students for real life? 

I try to make sure they understand how science affects their daily lives. I try to relate the content to something personally because when that happens you develop a greater appreciation for what you are learning since it directly affects you. I want them to become scientifically literate thinkers who use their knowledge to make decisions and solve problems. 

5. What does being a mentor mean to you? 

A mentor is someone who inspires you just like the one who inspired me (Thanks Mr. Fleury!). Someone who you can look up to, who guides you, helps you overcome challenges and pushes you to be your best self. I only hope I can inspire students to be their best selves no matter what path they take in life (even if it isn’t science) and use the skills they have learned to do so.  

I personally did not have Mrs. Olzinski as a teacher, but in every encounter I have had with her she was always so sweet. Mrs. Olzinski is very passionate and patient with her students, especially for them being so young and rambunctious. She is always eager to help them with anything they need. 

Mrs. Olzinski: 

1. What subject/grade level do you teach?

Kindergarten.

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done?

All throughout high school, I wanted to be an orthodontist. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I decided to remain local to continue my athletic and academic careers that I found a love for working with children and wanting to become a teacher. 

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I love everything about being a teacher! I truly love making a difference in the children’s lives and being a positive role model for them to come in every day and be excited to learn! 

4. How do you prepare students for real life? 

At this young age and grade level, students are just learning how to be cooperative citizens within a community. I enjoy teaching them respect for others (sharing, playing, etc.), teaching and learning problem-solving skills, and of course all of the fundamental cognitive skills that are needed for a successful life outside of school! 

5. What does being a mentor mean to you

I take being a mentor very seriously and hold it to the highest pedigree possible. I believe that students feed off positive energy. So, when I come into work happy and positive, then they feed off of that, too! I hope my positive outlook and my happiness can help each student feel safe, welcome, and actually enjoy coming to school!

I always go and see Mrs. Thomas in the morning and afternoon during school. She is a very hard-working teacher and person. She is always helping students left and right making sure they reach their full potential. She is very inspirational, always positive, and fun to be around. 

Mrs. Thomas: 

1. What subject/grade level do you teach?

My name is Mrs. Thomas, and I teach 12th grade ELA, as well as one awesome group of sophomores. 

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done?

If I were not an educator, I imagine I might have pursued a career in law or social profession. I am deeply passionate about supporting youth in our community and helping them succeed in life. Education, law, and social work are interconnected in myriad ways, each contributing to the overall well-being and empowerment of those they serve. 

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

What I enjoy most about my role as an educator is seeing students overcome challenges, spark new ideas, and accomplish tasks that they feel they were not capable of. I also take pleasure in witnessing the success of each of my students and building a classroom community where every student feels inspired to try. 

4. How do you prepare students for real life?

Preparing students for real life is a critical part of the educator’s mission. As an ELA teacher, I employ several strategies to prepare my students for real-life situations. First, I encourage students to think critically and form their own opinions on various topics. I also provide opportunities for them to analyze information from multiple perspectives and draw their own conclusions, which then enable them to share their perspectives both orally and in written form. Additionally, I assign open-ended projects and essays that allow students to explore ideas that are meaningful to them. 

5. What does being a mentor mean to you? 

To me, being a mentor means being a supportive, empathetic, and trustworthy guide for those I work with. I strive to offer encouragement, share my knowledge and expertise, and help students develop their own paths beyond high school. 

Ms. Zielinski always tries to make sure her students are prepared for their high school life when they get there. She helps prepare students by getting them to understand they need to communicate and to be organized if they lose their work it is on them to have a conversation with her to see what they can work out. Ms. Zielinski is always positive even when it’s hard she always looks on the bright side. 

Ms.Zielinski:

1. What subject/grade level do you teach?

I teach 8th grade Civics in the Educational Center.

2. If you did not pursue teaching, what would you have done?

If I did not pursue teaching, I would have wanted to become a lawyer or a photographer. I know they are very different professions, but I have always had an interest in both.

3. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I enjoy the kids most. They can be a handful, but spending my days with them brings me joy.

4. How do you prepare students for real life?

Everything I do is designed to help them get ready for real life. From having high expectations when it comes to them being on time and handing in work to expecting them to follow the rules (even when they don’t like them). Civics is all about being a productive member of a community, whether it is the school community or the national community. 

5. What does being a mentor mean to you?

Being a mentor is so many different things to me. Mentors teach problem-solving skills. They share knowledge, and they also share experience. They provide support and constructive criticism. Being a mentor also means being a lifelong learner. All of us have something to learn from others.