What originally inspired you to become a teacher?
Heaney: “My science teacher inspired me.”
What’s one thing you wish students understood about your job that they usually don’t see?
Heaney: “I have 125 students emailing and submitting late work.”
Q.How do you keep yourself motivated on difficult days?
Heaney: “The kids that I still keep in contact with, after they graduate.”
What part of teaching gives you the most joy or satisfaction?
Heaney: ”When kids who are struggling finally get the material.”
What’s a memorable moment with a student or class that has stuck with you?
Heaney:” When I had a student come back for a Black History Month assembly, as a guest speaker. And thanked me in his speech.”
How do you balance covering the curriculum with making learning fun and engaging?
Heaney: “I try to be goofy, and I try not to do the same thing every single day.”
What’s one change you’d love to see in the education system?
Heaney: “Less testing.”
If you could give all students one skill or habit to help them succeed, what would it be?
Heaney: “I would tell them to take a blank copy of the notes, and try to redo the problem,s and then look at my notes if they get stuck.”
What’s something about you that students would be surprised to learn?
Heaney: “I almost failed algebra one, cause I didn’t like the teacher, and I cried in college, cause I was failing all my math classes.”
What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a teacher someday?
Heaney: “Don’t expect to be appreciated every day.”
