Ginger Newman has taught English for 23 years at Hickman High School. Sitting in her class with the lights off, the interview started with smiles.
“I became an English teacher because my former principal from when I was in high school, who had become my school’s superintendent, needed an English teacher, and I had an English degree. I had planned to go to law school, but he offered me the job instead. And I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll try it.’ Then I did, and I loved it,” Newman said.
Newman teaches because of her love for students.
“It always sounds cliche, but you guys are the future. You all are the future. I think our work is an expression of hope,” Newman said.
Newman always respects her students.
“I think all communication, even if it’s unpleasant, is an attempt to tell me something, so if I have a negative encounter, I always try to circle back to check in on that student. Because we can’t forget that high school students are becoming adults. They’re not finished products yet. That can sometimes be a little bit messy, and that’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to be,” Newman said.
