Story by Aivi Larsen

Ms. Proctor is our new history teacher here at Discovery High School, and she is the best! “I feel fortunate to be part of this community,” said Proctor.

Ms. Proctor is a funny and sarcastic person who teaches with purpose and accountability for the education of others. She is also respectful and understanding of others’ feelings and limitations, and can become serious when need be. “I believe honesty and clarity help create a respectful, productive classroom environment,” stated Proctor. A really cool fact about her is that she has visited all 50 states and has been to 16 different countries!

Prior to her current job as a teacher, she worked in both the telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries. For a brief time, she also worked at a computer company. “Each of these experiences enriched my understanding and provided valuable insights, ultimately guiding me to a career in education,” said Proctor. In preparation to become a teacher, she completed two bachelor’s degrees: one in economics from Eastern Kentucky University and the other in education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. On top of that, she also earned a master’s degree in economic education through the University of Delaware.

Ever since she was a little girl in elementary school, she has wanted to become a teacher, being the one other kids came to when they needed help in their studies. She even played teacher with her siblings at home. “Honestly, I’ve never really known a time when I didn’t want to teach,” explained Proctor. “It’s always been a natural part of who I am.” What she enjoys most about her job is her students and watching them learn and grow—the moment when a student finally understands an idea or concept, like a lightbulb going off, and being able to see their pride and joy in learning and understanding something new.

Mrs. Proctor has been at Discovery for about two weeks now, and she feels that it is a kind, warm, and welcoming environment. “Discovery is an incredible place,” said Proctor. “The staff and students are truly amazing.” One of the first things that she noticed about Discovery was how passionate both the students and the teachers are about education. Mrs. Proctor conveys the message that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you’re willing to learn from your errors and grow. She truly is an amazing person, as she cares for the students and the school.