Mrs. Greer has been a teacher at Air Academy High School (AAHS) for four years, and has made a large influence on the school.
She began her journey into her career through community college originally as a drama major, but then eventually switched her studies to English education.
“I’ve always loved to read and to write, so I think it’s a good fit,” Mrs. Greer explained.
Mrs. Greer began student teaching at Eagleview Middle School (EMS) and found a passion for her work within District 20. Although she worked as a freshman English and creative writing teacher for three years, Mrs. Greer took a unique opportunity last school year to change the English department at AAHS.
The Kadet English Writing Lab (KEWL) was established in the 2022-2023 school year with the goal of providing extra resources to students with their English classes following the aftermath of COVID-19.
“We came up with the idea of having a writing center,” Mrs. Greer remarked, “and then I applied for the job and got it!”
This new addition to the school joined the ranks of tutoring centers in Air Academy beside the Kadet Math Academic Center (KMAC). However, this new development was not without its struggles. Mrs. Greer explained that learning the organizational aspects of the new job was the hardest part to adapt to.
“We were basically building a plane mid-flight,” Mrs. Greer humorously analogized.
However, with the KEWL having been in operation for a full school year, its impacts are helping students tremendously.
“When I go in, there’s always a tutor who’s able to help me,” senior Peter Patchen said, accrediting the KEWL’s success to its director.
Mrs. Greer’s success with creating the KEWL has paid off for her as well.
“My favorite part about working in the KEWL is seeing people’s faces when they finally submit an assignment that’s been bothering them or they’ve really been struggling with,” Mrs. Greer said, “It’s so exciting to see them finally be happy about their grade or happy about their work.”
“She is just able to give that positivity to the kids,” Mrs. Riley explains, “Make them feel a little bit more lighthearted than they come in as.”
Mrs. Greer’s constant positivity is a factor that anyone can see, especially in the difficult role of a tutoring director. Everyone from tutors to those being helped in the KEWL remark about her optimistic ways and attitude, creating a positive environment for everyone there.
“Mrs. Greer is a really kind leader,” senior KEWL tutor Sofia Haack explained, “She only ever builds people up, she never tears anybody down.”
English teacher Rachel Riley attributes the popularity of the KEWL to Mrs. Greer’s “very positive demeanor and tone.”
From working as a student teacher at EMS to freshman English at Air Academy, Mrs. Greer’s journey has been nothing short of fascinating. Her constant work to help students at Air Academy with their English work, or simply be a safe place for them, is tremendously inspiring. Be sure to stop by Room 208 to let Mrs. Greer know how important she is to the AAHS community!
