Story submitted by Donna Law
I have worked at James Madison Preparatory High School going on three years now and currently teach Physical Science, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Chemistry. I love to learn and have always loved almost every type of science. As a parent, I have spent hundreds of hours volunteering in my children’s classrooms. I admired educators and the job they do, and this inspired me to become a teacher.
I received my A.A. degree here locally at North Florida Community College where I received a Student of the Year award in Biology and then moved on to Valdosta State University to finish my undergrad degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Then, I completed VSU’s graduate program and received my Master’s degree in Education. While there, I received the Student of the Year Award for the College of Education. To this day, I am still frequently in touch with the professors who have taught me over the years.
As a teacher, parents place their child in my care with the understanding that I will put forth every effort for that child to reach their potential. That I will stand in their place and keep their child safe, but also hold them to high standards. I never take that lightly.
I feel that my job as a teacher is not only to instill knowledge of science in my students, but to also teach them the process of learning itself and inspire them to believe that they can reach higher goals than perhaps they think they can. In order to do that, though, I have to convince them to buy into their education and by extension their future. This can be a daunting task. You see, they really don’t care what you know until they know that you care. So, building those relationships is my number one goal from the first day and then, once we have built trust, we can move onto the business of solid learning.
In a way, one could say that teaching to me is a calling. I enjoy the relationships I have with my students, listening to and laughing at their stories, crying over their struggles, and scolding them when they fail to believe in themselves. I am so lucky to work in an environment where autonomy is given and creativity is encouraged. I love going to work every day because I love the challenge of it all. It is so special to hear a student say, “Mrs. Law, you are my favorite teacher!” I hope that I never lose the joy and satisfaction of influencing my students to do great things.
Donna Law is a Science Teacher at James Madison Preparatory High School