We spend some time with Angela Morgan, teacher at GHS.
Tell us a little about you and how you decided to become a teacher?
I grew up in Oxford, AL but I have lived in South Carolina and North Carolina. I am a mother of three incredible kids including my twins who attend Bragg Middle School and a son who is a senior at Jacksonville State University. Also, I have the sweetest rescue dog in the world named Mollie Grace. I am a proud alumna of Jacksonville State University where I was also a Marching Ballerina. I recently completed my Educational Specialist degree, so I understand the challenges of being both a teacher and a student during the pandemic.
Before becoming a teacher, I worked in the sports marketing industry. I decided to go back to school to obtain a degree in education after having my first child. I consider myself a life-long learner, and I wanted to share my passion for learning with others. I chose to teach high school because I love working with teenagers. They are witty, creative, passionate, inquisitive, and totally unpredictable! I have been teaching for nineteen years. This is my third year at Gardendale High where I teach 11th grade English and sponsor the Rockettes dance team.
What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
The thing I like most about teaching is my students! I love interacting with them, getting to know them, learning from them, and watching them make the connection between what we are learning and their lives. I keep up with them long after they leave my classroom, and I continue to celebrate their successes. I consider it a privilege to be a small part of their lives.
Are there special moments where you say to yourself “this is why I teach?”
My goal for my students is for them to think critically about the world around them. I love to see them question something that they read or see on the news. When I see them do their own research, draw their own conclusions, and form their own opinions, I know that I have done my job.
What’s the one thing you would like people to know about teachers?
Teachers are here to partner with students and parents to ensure that each child reaches their maximum potential. We want our students to be successful inside and outside of our classrooms!
If you had one wish for something special for your classroom, what would it be?
As the dance team sponsor, I consider the dance room to be an extension of my classroom. We are so lucky to have this space; however, I would wish to have some new rolls of vinyl dance flooring for the dance room. The dancers work many hours on their technique and routines, and I would love to see them have a safe, durable, and controlled floor on which to practice.
