Teaching a classroom full of students is far from a piece of cake. Being surrounded by hundreds of students every day who rely on someone to teach important information is stress-inducing for many teachers. However, to be awarded Teacher of the Month is a special honor for those who continuously keep their students engaged and wanting to learn, and the award was recently presented to English teacher Jill Shugart.
She was named the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month for the month of February.
Shugart has been a teacher at LCM for 14 years. Along with being named Employee of the Month, she has also won Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year in the past. Before coming to LCM, Shugart taught at Orangefield Junior High for one year and West Orange-Stark High School for nine years.
“It feels great to be appreciated,” Shugart said.
Just like every other teacher, Shugart tends to find many aspects of this job occupying much of her time. At times, it can feel very time consuming. She struggles with challenges that all other teachers around the world face.
“Even if I don’t bring my work home, it is on my mind,” Shugart said. “It’s there when I get in bed and usually the first thing I think of when I wake up, whether it is an assignment, PowerPoint, or recommendation letter, there is always something to do.”
Shugart is a very hard worker, and this is reflected in her schedule during the school day. To stay on task and get everything done, she arrives at school early and plans her entire day,
“I am more efficient in the morning, so I get to work before 7 a.m.,” Shugart said. “I like to make sure I have everything together and get some planning in while it is quiet. That also allows me more time in the afternoon with my family.”
According to Shugart, her biggest inspiration for wanting to become a teacher is a professor she met at Lamar University.
“I had a Literature professor who recommended me for a job at the Lamar Writing Center, and I had no idea how much I loved helping students write until then,” Shugart said. “Teaching Language and Composition has brought that back.”
LCM holds a special place in the hearts of teachers and staff. According to Shugart, her favorite part about teaching at LCM is that she and her family have had an extensive history at this campus.
“I graduated from LCM, my children graduated from LCM, I live here, and I was able to teach two of my three kids,” Shugart said. “I also love my department and coworkers so much. I can’t imagine leaving.”
