Q & A with Ms. Shimko
Shimko’s love for kayaking is serious; her family owns one kayak for every color of the rainbow. She finds it relaxing and a great way to stay active.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I graduated high school from Laurel Highlands School District. I went to Waynesburg University, and I have a [bachelor’s] degree from there in secondary education with a concentration in history.
Q. What is your teaching experience prior to coming to Trinity?
A. I was at Laurel Highlands last year, and I also student taught at Trinity in the spring of 2020.
Q. Why did you choose the field of education as a career?
A. I have wanted to be a teacher since before I could remember. For my sixth birthday, I actually received office supplies as presents. This is my dream, and I love what I do.
Q. What do you like most about teaching at Trinity and why?
A. The students. Because even on the hard days they make it worth it. All the time and effort that I put into teaching here — they make it all worth it.
Q. What is the most challenging part of your job and why?
A. The most challenging part has been adjusting to a new schedule. Last year at Laurel Highlands, I taught different content and classes, so the adjustment into creating all new material has been challenging.
Q. Who is your biggest role model or inspiration? Explain.
A. My Gram. She has taught me so much, specifically that the best things in life aren’t the easy things, which makes me love what I do even more.
Q. Do you have any special hobbies or interests?
A. I go kayaking. We have all the gear and go as often as we can. It’s so fun. I also love coffee; my favorite coffee drink is any type of macchiato with caramel. I would say my family, too, because they are the most important thing in my life.
Q. Is there a book, movie or song that has inspired or encouraged you and why?
A. When I graduated college and I wasn’t sure what direction I was going to go with my career, my Gram said to me, “rock bottom is a solid foundation to build whatever dreams you have.”
Q. You’re stranded on a desert island. Some may even call it a “dessert” island because you can only survive by eating one flavor of ice cream for the rest of your life. What’s that flavor for you and why?
A. Moose Tracks. By far my favorite flavor. I like the little bits of goodies that are in it, the caramel chocolates and chocolate bits. Eating it feels like it’s filled with little surprises.
Outside of school, you can usually find Emma dancing, solving word puzzles, buried deep inside a book, or dreaming of some new and delicious dessert to...
