Teachers work hard to influence students lives one lesson at a time, and that’s especially true for educator Leslie Gonzalez. Gonzalez teaches English IV Pre-AP, AP English Literature and Composition, and Introductory Sociology 1301.
Gonzalez has been a teacher at Jimmy Carter for 11 years. While teaching was originally not her first choice, she was drawn to helping students grow and become the best version of themselves.
“As someone deeply passionate about understanding human behavior and guiding those who need counseling, I was drawn to the field of psychology and wanted to become a therapist,” Gonzalez said. “However, my desire to become a teacher stems from wanting to positively influence the lives of others and foster growth.”
The subjects Gonzalez teaches are English Language Arts (ELA) and Sociology. ELA is a foundational subject that encourages critical thinking skills, creativity, and effective communication through reading and writing. As for sociology, the course offers insight into how society functions, social relationships, and human behavior.
“No matter what your post-secondary plans are, you will put these skills to use,” Gonzalez said. “It is beautiful seeing students become advocates and active members of their community.”
While being a teacher can have its ups and downs, Gonzalez mentioned that her favorite part of being a teacher is knowing that she is making a difference in students’ futures. Being labeled as a mentor or role model by her students is rewarding for Gonzalez.
“I feel fulfillment knowing I play a significant role in their life,” Gonzalez said.
However, Gonzalez stated that the hardest thing about teaching is when a student is absent. When students are absent, they miss out on the lesson or assignment that was given that day. This not only puts the student behind, but also the teacher.
“Differentiating can become difficult when students are absent since it disrupts the flow of instruction,” Gonzalez said. “Teachers sometimes find themselves spending additional time catching up absent students and adjusting lesson plans while also trying to move on with those who don’t miss school.”
Gonzalez mentioned that she sencourages students to devople critical thinking skills, creativity, and resilience while in high school. She wants them to build skills that’ll serve them well beyond high school and graduation.
“Hard times are inevitable, but these skills can help us adapt to change and overcome obstacles,’ Gonzalez said. “I hope that all students stay true to themselves and never underestimate their potential.”