For The News Courier.

This is the eighth installment of Q&As with the nine teachers who have been selected by their peers as Teachers of the Year at Athens City Schools.

Name: Summer Neely

School: Renaissance Virtual School (RenV)

Grade Levels Taught: 8th through 12th Grade

Subjects Taught: Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics

Degrees, Special Certifications and/or Training:

— Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Judson College

— Master of Arts in Education, Mississippi State University

Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Hayden, Alabama.

Why did you become a teacher?

I’ve always loved school, and as a kid I would play teacher. I would teach math lessons to my friends at church and grade fake assignments. As I grew into an adult and started looking at teaching as a career, I saw an opportunity to help others grow and develop a love of learning like I had. I wanted to help children grow into the best versions of themselves and never want to stop learning.

How many years have you been a teacher?

I have been in education for eight years.

How many years have you been with Athens City Schools?

I have been with Athens City Schools for six years.

What is the best part of your day?

I think this is probably true for most teachers, but I love seeing those light bulb moments when kids finally understand. For virtual teachers this can look a little different, we may be helping a student through a video call or by messaging them, but we still get to have those moments where we get to see kids say, “I get it.”

Who has been your greatest source of inspiration?

I wouldn’t say that I have one person in particular, but I have had several people who have inspired me. My mom has really shown me what servant leadership looks like. My husband regularly teaches me to not take things so seriously and encourages me to take chances. My kids help me keep my job in perspective by reminding me to treat my students like I want their teachers to treat them. Then, I have Dr. Brown and my coworkers, who challenge me to keep thinking outside the box. I just have a lot of really great people who I get my inspiration from.

How do you hope to inspire your students?

I hope that students see first my genuine concern for them, and take that to other people in their lives. If we all see each other and care about each other, the world is going to be a good place. Second, I hope they see my joy in learning new things even though I’m a grown-up. When we decide that we are done learning, that is when progress and growth stop. I hope I never stop growing and learning, and I hope they don’t either.

What advice would you like to share with new teachers?

Don’t take things personally. This was the advice given to me, and it is something that is really hard to do, but it will make your life so much better. We don’t know what stories our kids and their families have, so sometimes behavior that seems directed at us really is the result of something outside of our classrooms. Remembering this helps to free you up to come alongside those kids and really help them when they are experiencing those tough emotions.

What is your greatest hope for your students?

I just hope that they grow up to be happy and positive members of their communities. I absolutely love running into my former students working their adult jobs, and doing it with joy and pride.

What is your family like?

I am married to Brett Neely and we have three children, Jack, Autumn and Emerald.

What is your favorite hobby or

activity?

I love walking on nature trails, crafting and baking.

What is your favorite quote?

“Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

It is the season of Thanksgiving. For what are you most grateful?

I am grateful for the time to spend with my family, and I am grateful to work in a job that allows me to balance being a mom and wife in addition to doing what I love to do as a teacher.

The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program honors and recognizes excellence in the teaching profession by identifying outstanding classroom teachers at local, district and state levels. The Teacher of the Year Program is open to any public school classroom teacher, librarian, counselor or other certified individuals in a K-12 setting.

The Athens City Schools Foundation will honor each Teacher of the Year at the annual ACSF Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The Athens City Schools District-Level Elementary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12) Teacher of the Year will be announced at this special event. These teachers will then represent Athens City Schools in the Alabama Teacher of the Year state competition.