When Lauren Headley was in grade school, she had many great teachers that helped instill a passion for learning. Now as a Trinity Prep teacher, she is excited to help her students become just as enthusiastic as she is about learning.
“I had some really great math teachers in middle school and high school that were really wonderful, that just kind of brought out that level of learning and inspired me to pass that on to other people.”
Headley always knew she wanted to be a teacher, even in high school.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Headley said. “I was in a Future Teachers of America Club when I was in high school, and then when I went into college, I went straight into education.”
Headley will be entering the Trinity family with a graduate Degree in Curriculum Instruction from the University of Kansas and 19 years of teaching experience at Lake Highland Preparatory School, which some consider to be a rival school. Headley believes that there are not many differences between Trinity and Lake Highland.
“I know a lot of people think it’s a big deal, but there’s so much that’s similar in the culture of independent schools,” Headley said. “There’s a lot of differences, but there’s a lot of things that are the same.”
What transcends rivalries is the impact that teachers can have on students. This impact can be traced back to teachers that she had as a kid.
“I had a lot of great teachers [during my time in school].” Headley said “Miss Corbett, who was my kindergarten teacher, was phenomenal. Miss Marshall was a middle school math teacher who was the first teacher I felt really understood me as a little bit quirky and uniquely weird middle school child.”
Headley’s favorite part of teaching is the students.
“The kids, students are the best,” Headley said. “Sixth graders are the most fun because every day is different and it’s so fun to get to see them grow and figure out who they are and change so much throughout the year.”
Outside of teaching, Headley has many hobbies such as reading, hanging out with friends, watching movies but especially fishing.
“So [I] do a lot of fishing off [the] coast in New Smyrna,” Headley said. “I grew up fishing off the canals off of Hutchinson Island, which is Vero Beach, Fort Pierce. So I grew up fishing there and I loved that.”
When she is not fishing or reading, Headley spends her time creating healthy learning environments and making students feel welcome.
“I think understanding the students’ well-being and ability to learn is the most important thing,” Headley said. “[It] helps you kind of keep focused on the job and know what you’re there for them.”
For Headley’s first year on the Trinity staff, she wants to get acquainted with the Trinity culture.
“I think the first year, I really just want to make sure that I’m doing everything that I can to understand the culture and the climate and make sure that I’m doing what’s best for the students in helping them to grow and succeed.”
