The life of a teacher is anything but easy. The careful planning and effort that goes into every lesson plan, assignment and test is like no other. Many teachers also have other commitments, such as various roles within the delicate high school ecosystem, family at home and daily responsibilities.
One teacher who constantly faces the challenges of a busy schedule is English teacher Ms. Shaw. Along with teaching Honors English 10 and English 12, she is the advisor of four clubs: Friends of Rachel (F.O.R.) Club, Book Club, Creative Writing Club and the Literary Journal. Additionally, she serves as the Student of the Month committee chair, the English Department chair, the after-school English tutor and a mentor to new and student teachers. With plenty on her plate, Shaw has learned to navigate her packed schedule effectively.
Shaw’s mornings often start early, as she believes taking time to prepare for the day ahead is crucial. Most of her homerooms are filled with club meetings or providing support to struggling students.
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being intentional with my time,” Shaw comments.
Another important lesson Shaw has embraced is the importance of delegation. She believes empowering colleagues and students with knowledge is essential to her daily routine. Many students have been positively impacted by her words and actions.
“I would like to thank her for all she has done for me and the students of THS. Her words never go unnoticed and continue to inspire us every day. My chosen path in life would not be the same without her teachings,” shares Senior Addison McCoy, who has worked personally with Shaw in the F.O.R. Club and the Literary Journal.
When people question Shaw on why she has taken on so many roles, her response is simple: she loves giving back to her community. She enjoys seeing people flourish and wants Trinity High School to meet its own expectations. She believes every minute spent helping the district is time well spent.
“I believe in recognizing the role models among our student body and creating opportunities for my students that might not otherwise exist. This work fills me with joy and reminds me daily of the power of showing up for others,” Shaw says.
Shaw’s kind deeds do not go unnoticed; many students regularly acknowledge and appreciate her kindness.
Junior Sarah Losko states, “Ms. Shaw dedicates a significant amount of time to her students. I can still remember last year when she handed everyone in the musical a candy bar in class as an act of kindness.”
Overall, Shaw holds a truly special place in the hearts of Trinity’s students and faculty, and her kind-spirited attitude is a vital factor in its success. Her hard work has not been overlooked!
