As the school year is moving along, seniors especially are trying to figure out their futures. For senior Audrey Manship, she has had it figured out for quite some time. After high school, Manship plans to become a teacher, specifically a Spanish teacher. Manship has always known she wanted to be a teacher, but the Spanish part only came to her last year.

“I have always had a special place in my heart for education, both my mom and my mamaw are teachers. I have loved Spanish since the first day I walked in to Mrs. Carter’s class. She makes learning fun, and I want to be able to do that for someone also,” said Manship.

From being in Spanish class with Spanish teacher Rachel Carter, Manship has discovered that learning Spanish comes naturally to her, and it is easy to pick up on. Carter has taught Manship more than just Spanish in her three years of being in her class. Manship realizes that being a teacher is more than the actual subject being taught; it is also about caring for the students and getting to know them as a person.

“Being Mrs. Carter’s TA my senior year has let me see all the things she does in preparation for her students. It basically gives me a backstage look into her teaching life,” said Manship.

Because she has close family members who are teachers, Manship can observe to see what the job is like. She is able to figure out the dos and don’ts of teaching, and she is also able to set goals for her teaching career.

“My goal as a teacher is to not only teach my students, but to also help them be better people. Teaching is about more than just the subject area; it is about the whole student,” said Manship.

After graduation, Manship will major in Spanish education and minor in business at either IU-Bloomington or USI.

Story by Sara Kesterson