Dr. Philbin

BY: Nevaeh Zumbrun and Addison McGraw

What made you want to be a teacher?

“Well, first off, teaching was not my first career. A few years ago, I worked for a company called BMI. They do copyright clearances for a performing arts organization. Interestingly, this is where I met my husband.

I worked there for a few years where I traveled outside of my market and basically licensed places that use music. I did that for a while and then I went to work for a food broker doing sales marketing. After a little while, the person for whom I worked ended up downsizing, so I lost my job. At that time, I was pregnant with my twins, so we decided that I was going to stay home instead of working. Sadly, they were sick for the first two years of their life. When they turned three years old, I went back into sales, which required me to travel. It was another music company, but it was not family oriented, nor it was convenient for me and my family.  Since I had to be gone, my husband had to take care of the kids and he had to work. So, I thought that I needed to look into another career. I started looking into schools and teaching. I began to take teaching classes in western Kentucky and I went to Trevecca to look into teaching license and I reviewed with them. Trevecca said that they had a Masters’ Program. Since I already had a Bachelor Degree, I could get my masters and my teaching certification at the same time. Well, I thought that was a good idea. All I have to do is, pay for my classes, get my teaching certificate, and get my master’s. I went back to Trevecca, and I didn’t even do student teaching, I did several interims and they had me on an alternate license. I basically walked in, fresh, to a classroom. I would not recommend that for everybody.  That was hard. That was back in 2006 or 2007. So I got my license. When I did, I got a position at Indian Lake, a couple in Madison Creek, and Jack Anderson. I did an interim here, back in 2010 for Melissa Skaggs, when she had her second child. She was going to be gone for the full year. The next year, there were no open positions, but the year after that, our old principal, Mr.Brown, called me and offered me a job.”

Who inspired you to go into teaching, if anybody?

“I would say, my kids. I wanted a job where I could be with them and I thought it would be very convenient with being on the same schedule. Also, I could grow with them and be with them. So, I would say, my kids.”

Have you ever thought any other subject other than ELA (English Language Arts)?                                                                                                               “Yes, I have taught math, science, social studies. Well, I have taught everything. Except for related arts, but other than that, I have taught everything.”

What is your favorite part of being a teacher?

“I would say, making a connection with the kids. Especially when, I explain something and they get it. That lightbulb goes off and they make that connection.  I think that is when I know that I am doing my job.”

What is one thing you wish you knew before becoming a teacher?

“I would probably say, how hard it is. You don’t think it is a hard, hard job. I mean, you know that there are going to be some challenges, but you don’t realize how hard it is being a teacher. Mostly because, every day you make decisions, “Should I do this today, or should I do this today?”, or “Would this be more beneficial, or that be more beneficial?”. It is the constant of going back and forth and trying to be your best because you want you and your kids to grow. Also, you want them to really learn from you, so that making those vital decisions is important. Well, I gotta be my best so I can do what is best for them.”

How many years have you been teaching?

        “So, my very first teaching year was in 2007, which was twelve years ago.”

Do you have any children?

        “Yes, I have three. I have twins that have just graduated Station Camp High school, Briana and Carly, they graduated in December. Well, they have not technically graduated, they got out early. They are going to walk [in the graduation ceremony] in May, but they are done. Then I have a son, Jack, he is a fifth grader next door, at the elementary.”

Was seventh grade the only grade you taught?

        “No, I have taught every grade except for high school, which means I have taught kindergarten to eighth grade.”

Is there anything you would like to add?

        “I would say, Station Camp definitely has been my favorite. I prefer this age group, I think I can connect with this age group better than with the elementary kids. It has been very good, I have met with a lot of great students. And, what is really great is when I am out, and I see a student that I had five or six years ago and I recognize them. They would tell me their name and I would be like, “Oh! I remember you!”. So it is really cool, when you see students that have gone on. They would tell me what they are doing, “Oh, I am in college now and I am doing this,” or, “I am studying that.” I believe that is just really cool, and I love when those moments happen. They happen quite often because I still live in the community.”

  Thank you so much for sharing your stories! We are glad to have you here and that you love all of us so much! Thank you Dr. Philbin!