Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Sample

By VCS Senior Amber Kitchen

Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

This is my fifth year at Valley Christian School. Prior to teaching here, I taught eighth grade in Warren. I enjoy music from the 1960s and 1970s, including Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Wings, and Queen. I also collect vinyl records and currently have a collection of about 150. World War II and the Vietnam War are my favorite historical periods to study and teach.

Why did you start teaching? 

There are two main reasons. After graduating from high school, I worked on staff for my high school’s drama department, where I discovered how much I loved working with students, building relationships, and watching them grow over time. Additionally, during my senior year of high school, my history teacher, Mr. King, told me he could see me becoming “the next him.” He joked that “we need more crazy history teachers,” and that moment truly stuck with me. Both experiences encouraged me to pursue a career in teaching.

What has been your favorite part of teaching so far? 

Building strong relationships with students and staff, and creating meaningful classroom memories with my “beans.”

What’s one thing students might not know about you? 

I was born a redhead!

How would you describe your teaching style, and do you think students appreciate it? 

I would describe my teaching style as unique and engaging—and I believe my students enjoy it.

How do you keep students engaged and motivated? 

I try to keep students on their toes through interactive and creative methods. While it may look chaotic to those outside Room 322, it includes engaging games, music and movie clips that connect to lessons, competitions between classes, and even singing, dancing, or using accents and impressions of historical figures. I sometimes dress to match the era we’re studying or lecture from unexpected places—because in Room 322, it’s truly a one-woman show.

Is there a student success story that has stayed with you? 

During my first year at Valley, I had a student who made it very clear that he disliked history—and me. Despite my efforts to engage him, I believed he genuinely hated the class. By the end of the year, however, he began to warm up. A couple of years later, I ran into him at a store. He ran up behind me, picked me up, and hugged me. He shared that his college history class felt easier because of what he learned in my class—and that he now enjoys history. I think of him whenever I doubt myself as a teacher.

What advice would you give students to be successful in school? 

Always give your best effort, don’t be afraid to ask questions, lean on your friends and teachers, and trust God.

If you weren’t a teacher, what career would you choose? 

A sign language interpreter.

What’s the most common phrase you say in class? 

“Hi, beans!”

What advice would you give your high school self?

When people say women shouldn’t be history teachers because of stereotypes—such as claiming it’s “a job for a coach”—ignore them completely.

If you could switch jobs with any teacher for a day, who would it be? 

Probably Mr. Arduini.