Lauren Hussey teaches middle school science at Highfalls Elementary School, one of the two K-8 schools in Moore County, and said she has found her happy place.
“I typically teach grades seven and eight, but this year presented a unique challenge; I have added grades six and seven combination classes to my schedule (Currently teaching all grades 6-8 science),” said Hussey.
Hussey shared her unique journey of discovering her path to teaching middle school students.
“My first nine years teaching were in elementary grades ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade,” Hussey said. “During that time, I was eager to gain experience in multiple grade levels. Following the COVID-19 pandemic (which came with many challenges in education, including a stent of virtual kindergarten teaching) and a traumatic loss in my family, I was desperate for a change. I made a huge leap of faith and decided to give middle school a try. This has been the best decision for me and reignited a spark that was starting to flicker.”
Her favorite aspect of teaching is building meaningful relationships with students and their families. She often teaches siblings of students she previously taught, and the relationships flourish, benefiting from already being invested in their families.
Since high school, as a member of the teacher cadet program, Hussey knew she wanted to teach but entered college as “undecided” before deciding on elementary education and has been teaching for 12 years.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and obtained a B.A. in elementary education. After a few years in the classroom, she earned a Master of Arts in teacher leadership in curriculum and instruction from Gardner-Webb University.
“I started teaching in Moore County in August of 2019 after the birth of my daughter, Hallie,” Hussey said. “I previously taught in neighboring Randolph County. I made the transition after she was born so that we would be on the same school schedule when she started school.”
Hussey has lived in Moore County since 2013 after graduation, and her husband was born and raised in the Highfalls community. They live on a generational family farm in the area.
Hussey said expectations and standards are a lot different from when she was in middle school in the early 2000s compared to today.
“I do not remember questioning my teachers on the workload we had during a school day or asking them why we were doing a certain activity or assignment; today I am often hit when sighs or grumbles when any amount of effort is expected and the question, ‘Why do we have to know this?’ frequently,” Hussey added. “I try to overcome this by showing my students the value in their learning and investing in their work efforts.”
Hussey said her motivation comes from unexpected rewards.
“After my first year teaching middle school, one of my homeroom students surprised me with a speech filled with gratitude for me at their 8th grade promotion ceremony,” said Hussey. “Every year, students have the opportunity to speak at their promotion; it was exceptionally meaningful that she took the time to write about the impact I had on her. This moment gave me the confirmation I needed that the transition to middle school was the right fit for me.”
Feature photo: Highfalls Elementary School teacher Lauren Hussey. Photo contributed.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Stephanie is also an English instructor at Central Carolina Community College. She is the author of young adult fiction, including When the Yellow Slugs Sing and Sky’s River Stone, and a suspense, GUTTERSNIPE: Shakespearean English Stage Play with Translation.
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