Peek into the life of an English teacher

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter • Apr 17, 2014

Katelyn Hoegger is an English teacher at NCHS who is funny, outgoing, and has a great sense of style. Despite being only in her second year at NCHS, she is cherished by many of the students who have had her as a teacher.

Q: What was life like for you in high school?

A: I worked a ton. I had 2 jobs, so there wasn’t time for me to be as involved with school activities as much as I would have liked. I also had 3 substantially younger siblings- guess who got stuck babysitting all the time! In school I was pretty quiet and kept to myself. My two worst subjects were math and science. Shocking, I know.

Ms. Hoegger giving her English II students direction for group work.

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher / before coming a teacher, could you have ever pictured yourself working and teaching others?

A: I didn’t get inspired to become a teacher until college. I had a fantastic teacher my freshman year who helped my become more comfortable opening up. Other students in class began asking me for help with papers, and this teacher saw that I had a knack for writing as well as helping people. She pulled me aside one day after class, told me I should be a teacher, and I knew she was right. I didn’t always want to be a teacher. I have always pictured myself doing some sort of job working with people. My first major was psych.

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: This is year 2.

Q: What is the most difficult part(s) of being a teacher?

A: Seeing students struggle with outside things or with school. It’s hard to watch kids go through some of the things they do.

Q: What is the best/most rewarding part(s) of being a teacher?

A: When my students improve. They are also brilliant. When they challenge themselves by thinking about things we discuss in a different/critical way, that’s a wonderful thing to witness and be a part of. Plus, my students give me tons of reasons to smile. They’re hilarious!

hoegger and macbeth head — Ms. Hoegger talks about her English II class’ project in which they act out scenes from *Macbeth*.

Q: What’s the weirdest (or most interesting) thing to have ever happened while teaching?

A: Last year I had kids who would vandalize my room with troll faces (all in good fun).

Q: Do you plan on teaching for a long time?

A: I hope so… Haven’t gotten fired yet! Fingers crossed!

Q: Outside of school, what are your hobbies?

A: I, of course, love to read. Right now I’m re-reading a book I read over the summer a few years ago. I have kind of a serious shopping addiction; I’m a sucker for a good sale! I also enjoy watching Game of Thrones (season 4 starts this Sunday!)

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to students, what would it be?

A: Try weird food. Your taste buds change as you get older. You never know what you might end up liking.

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About the Contributor

Ashley Kennedy, Staff Reporter

Ashley Kennedy is currently a senior at Normal Community High School. She is apart of her school’s Speech Team and is an Inkspot Staff Reporter. Favorite Film … Lord of the Rings Favorite Song … Paranoid Android by Radiohead On the weekend I … Read & go on bike rides! Likes … Politics, traveling, bike rides, makeup, watching films and hiking.