Do you know our teacher of the year? She has been a teacher at Academic Magnet for 9 years and is in the science department. Her name is Mrs. Phillips, and when I heard she needed to be interviewed, I had to jump on the opportunity to write about her, as she is one of the best teachers I have ever had. 

I spent more time with Mrs. Phillips than I did with my parents as a sophomore. I can personally say she is the best teacher that I have ever had. While I know a lot about her from being in her class so much, I went to interview her to find out a little bit more about her and so that I can share the story of our amazing teacher of the year.

Mrs. Phillips went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which many know today as UNC. This prestigious school is one that she enjoyed deeply.

When I asked her, “Why do you like teaching science?” She responded by saying “I think it touches on my, sense of adventure, because I like to be outdoors and I just can’t think there’s another content area that gets you outside as much as that.” I think her love for nature and being adventurous makes her relatable to so many. It makes her super down-to-earth and someone that you are never afraid to ask questions to.

Mrs. Phillips has many activities that she enjoys doing, such as reading, horseback riding, hiking, walking dogs, basically anything active. Most of these activities she is able to do at her house, one hour away from Magnet. While this distance of a drive caters to her active and inquisitive lifestyle, it also shows her dedication to the students of Magnet as she says traveling at least one hour a day is worth it for the opportunity to, in her words, “teach at a school where the students are genuinely interested in learning.” 

As a sophomore taking AP biology, my table was 4 boys in a class full of girls. We were table number three, and we were always trying to beat table one, creating a rivalry second to none. Things got heated in Wordly Wednesday as Carson Clark frequently dropped records. 

So, of course, I had to bring back up this rivalry when I asked, “What is the best AP Biology table you have ever had?” Her response was simple, “Obviously Table 3.” She also continued on to say how Carson’s record still stands.

She also acknowledged that her growth as a teacher has gone from being a teacher focused on results in the beginning to one focused on the growth of the class. This mentality carried on in her mentality to be the teacher of the year, in that the recognition can’t just go to her, but to the science department as a whole through their growth in hardship over the past year. 

Even as a teacher of the year, she recognizes her most proud achievement is not being teacher of the year, but her defeat of cancer. She did this back in 2020 and continued teaching through chemo and only missed a couple of days of school. This shows her dedication and love towards her students. 

As just one of the many students whose lives you have changed throughout your years of teaching, I thank you and congratulate you, Mrs. Phillips, on receiving the well-deserved Teacher of the Year honor.