By: Brianna Lucciano
Most teachers write lessons,
assignments, and tests, grade the work and then move on. Heather Hillesheim,
better known to the student body as Mrs. H., goes beyond that. She not only
teaches she makes certain her students understand their work. She also gives
her opinion on our work, and sends a weekly message; and most importantly makes every one of her students feel as though
they are her favorite. When I asked students what words came to mind when they
thought of Mrs. H the words included kind, caring, unique, patient, and
funny. Mrs. H is an amazing teacher, not only am I lucky to have her as a
teacher, but our whole student body is lucky enough to have her in our school.
Mrs. H was kind enough to take a few minutes to answer my questions
about her life and FTA.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I originally wanted to be a teacher because
I love chemistry. I also had a young chemistry teacher in high school that I think really set me on
my path to getting my degree in chemistry. After about a year of teaching I
realized that I really love high school students. I love seeing them trying to
decide what kind of an adult they're going to be.
How long have you been a teacher?
This is my 6th year teaching, though I took
a year off before teaching at FTA.
I know that you have taught in a
traditional school, what made you want to teach in an online school?
When my husband got a new job I was finally
able to stay home with our daughter, which had been the plan since we'd gotten
married. However, after just a year I realized I really missed my work.
Teaching for FTA allows me to have all of my kids, my daughter and my students
too. Its the best of both worlds!
What are the benefits of online versus
traditional schooling?
I think the major benefits are allowing
students to work slower or faster than they would in a normal setting and
flexibility of scheduling. It wasn't until I started teaching for FTA that I
realized how many online students are in online courses because their schedules
don't allow for traditional school. Students who are athletes, actors, and
dancers. I think its wonderful that we provide a way for all students to have
their needs met.
What was your best subject in college?
I did well and really enjoyed physical
chemistry and the electricity and magnetism half of physics. I also shocked
myself by loving my biomedical ethics class!
In high school, were you ever awarded, "Best
Dressed", "Most Likely to be Famous", "Class
President", etc...?
I think I got smartest girl in junior high.
I was the treasurer of the Science Club, but I didn't tell many people about it
because it was terribly nerdy. I was also the valedictorian when we
graduated.
Do you run any other clubs other than the
NHS for FTA, and what is your favorite thing about FTA?
NHS is the only club I'm running, but I am
the club coordinator so I help organize things for all of the clubs, like the
new forums and chat rooms.
My favorite thing about FTA is that I feel
like the administration really wants to do the best that they can for teachers
and students.
So as you can see Mrs. H is not your typical
teacher, she wants what is best for each of her students and really does care.
Mrs. H continues to do beyond her best for her students and her students
continue try their hardest in her classes because of the teacher she is.
This is Mrs. H pictured with her husband Daniel,
and adorable daughter Keely.