Celebrating Our Teachers on World Teacher’s Day
Today is World Teacher’s Day, and we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on one of our amazing teachers here at Destinations Career Academy of Georgia! Teachers play a huge role in shaping our students, and we want to take this day to honor one of our High School Social Studies Teacher, Savannah Ogle. In celebration of World Teacher’s Day, we asked her to share her personal reflections on what it means to be an educator and the invaluable lessons that she has learned throughout her career. Her insights offer a glimpse into the passion, dedication, and love that she brings to the classroom every day. Here’s what she had to say:
What Made You Want to Become a teacher?
I am very transparent with my students by telling them about my struggles when I was their age. I was consistently truant as early as 6th grade and struggled a lot with mental health and the overwhelming pressure of conforming to what society deemed as acceptable, which affected my motivation to do anything. I was lucky enough to have a teacher in 9th grade, Mrs. Green, that did not allow me to drop out of the chorus program at my school. Because of her, I found a sense of belonging and a community of people that cared about it. As I grew up and learned how to pull away from the desire to be accepted by my peers, I wanted to put myself in a position that would allow me to help young people the same way that Mrs. Green helped me.
What’s Your Favorite Thing About Teaching at GADCA
I love just about everything about GADCA! Alot of my students came to GADCA for the same reason that I struggled at their age—They felt as if they did not belong in their school community. I love that I am able to offer a sense of belonging to students all around my state.
In college and while student teaching, many of my mentors warned us about harsh school environments. I am able to brag that I have never experienced micro-managing or any type of unsettling interactions from any of the people that I work with. When I say we are like family, I mean it! Our school is tight knit, we work very well together and have an extraordinary community.
What’s One Lesson You’ve Learned from Your Students?
My students have shown me that history class can be easy if taught correctly. Many of my students report at the end of the year that before my class, social studies was their least favorite subject. I have a lot of fun, and they learn so much more!
What’s the Most Fulfilling Part of Your Job?
Besides the “teacher part” of watching them grow and feeling the excitement when something clicks, I love the relationships that I am able to form with my students and their families. I have students come to class early to tell me about their weekend, some students from my internship still send me updates about their lives, and parents will occasionally reach out to express the growth they have seen in their child.
What’s One Lesson You Hope Your Students Remember as They Grow?
At the end of each session, I tell my students to “be smart, be kind, make good choices, and have a good day.” I love history, and I love teaching, but if my students remember anything from my class, I want them to know that someone cares about them, they have a place in this world, and they can be successful in anything they want to be.
The Numbers Behind the Impact
While the stories of individual teachers are powerful, take a look at these national statistics that give a glimpse into the incredible commitment teachers have to their classroom
- The average teacher impacts over 3,000 students over the course of their career.
- 94% of teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies to ensure their students have the materials they need to learn.
- Teachers work an average of 53 hours per week, with many dedicating extra time outside of school hours to lesson planning, grading, and mentoring students.
Today, and every day, we are grateful for the lasting impact they make. Here’s to our amazing teachers—thank you for all that you do!