Katie Hornsby teaches 4th grade at Gardendale Elementary School and teaches 4th grade. She is in her 10th year of teaching and we asked her to reflect on her journey and her thoughts on being a teacher.
We welcome Katie to our Teacher Spotlight Series.
Tell us a little about you and how you decided to become a teacher?
This is my 10th year teaching. I have two children, Cash and Everly. Cash is 5 years old and attends school with me. He is in Kindergarten and Everly is 1. I also have a husky named Beau. I have been married for almost 9 years to my husband, Bryant. He is an attorney. We met while attending the University of Alabama. I originally was majoring in Interior Design. I decided after my first year to change my major to Elementary Education. The reason I changed was because I had always wanted to be a teacher. My calling is kids, and I wanted to make an impact on their lives. I feel like teaching is the biggest calling of all, because you teach and change lives by shepherding students into their own calling. I feel like it is the most important job of all.
What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
My favorite part of being a teacher is making an impact and building lifetime relationships. Some of my former students will come and visit my classroom from time to time. It is amazing to see their growth from when they were in my own classroom to where they are now.
Are there special moments where you say to yourself “this is why I teach?”
Absolutely. I love kids and seeing them grow and build upon their knowledge especially when something just ignites in them. It really is a special calling.
What’s the one thing you would like people to know about teachers?
Teachers are the pathway to careers. Without teachers leading the way, other jobs and careers wouldn’t be possible. I think sometimes people forget the pressure teachers are under with work load and meeting expectations. I think sometimes teachers feel undervalued and underappreciated. I would like to say that being a teacher is the hardest and most rewarding job of all. We wear many hats in education and we take on the responsibility of loving, caring, and providing for our students. We also have lives outside of school as well, so it truly is a special balance.
If you had one wish for something special for your classroom, what would it be?
I am very blessed at Gardendale Elementary school, but if I had one thing I would love for my classroom it would be a new charging cart for my class chromebooks or a new magnetic whiteboard hanging on the wall.
