The Roaring Times Teacher of the Week is Dr. Renate Staley, who teaches both math analysis and finite math. Dr. Staley, who grew up in South Africa, has been teaching for a considerable amount of time: 33 years. 

-How long have you been teaching?

“I have been teaching since the year 1980, and if I ever wanted a different career it would have been a [medical] doctor.”

-What advice would you give students going to college?

“Work ethic beats brains.”

-Why did you decide to become a teacher?

“I wanted time to pursue extracurricular activities and when I was a senior the teachers would let me teach the class while the teacher was gone.”

-What was your favorite subject in high school?

“Math and languages”

-What do you do for fun outside of school?

“I love swimming, hiking, and traveling because you get to explore parts of the world.”

-What is your best teaching philosophy?

“I want kids to go home everyday having something important learned, and every period counts.”

-Do you feel as though you make an impact on your student’s lives? If so, how?

“I could show you boxes and emails that students gave to me telling how I could make an impact in their lives, and I let students evaluate me. They learn how to deal with life”

-Many students say teachers inspire them. Who inspires you?

“God”