Holy Spirit is a community filled to the brim with exceptional teachers who don’t often get the recognition they deserve!  The Paw is thrilled to introduce a new feature article, “HSPS Staff Spotlight,” to introduce our community to some of our wonderful educators. This Fall the spotlight is on three of our newest teachers – Ms. Weekes, Ms. Amelia, and Dr. Pacifico.  We hope you enjoy learning more about them.  

First up is Ms. Weekes, who is Holy Spirit’s 4th grade teacher.  Ms. Weekes has wanted to be a teacher since she was in 5th grade and says “Becoming a teacher is the only job I’ve ever wanted.  I told my Mom that I wanted to be in school forever and she said that wasn’t possible, but look at me now!”  Ms. Weekes enjoys teaching all subjects but especially likes to teach reading.  She says that “making connections with my students,” is the best advice she received as a new teacher and she focuses on helping her students learn in a variety of different ways.  She says “I try to vary the way I teach concepts depending on how I think students will understand them. Oftentimes, hands-on projects work best for students. Group work allows students to communicate and assist each other too. I also know that students are engaged using technology, so I try to utilize learning apps and videos to help students too.”  Ms. Weekes also believes that working one on one with students is important but knows that there is not always enough time to do so.  Ms. Weekes loves the Holy Spirit community and says that “nothing makes me happier than when my students tell me they love school.”

Next up is middle-school math and science teacher, Dr. Pacifico.  Like Ms. Weekes, Dr. Pacifico has known she wanted to become a teacher since she was in elementary school.  She remembers that “I loved learning, and a teacher I loved” inspired her to become a teacher herself.  Dr. Pacifico wants to make learning fun.  She says “I have a very strong personality when I teach.  I am outgoing and I have a lot of fun teaching.  I love what I do.”  She also knows that her students are human and will make mistakes and she is understanding of that.  “Never give up and keep moving forward.  Everyone makes mistakes.”  She tells her students to ask clarifying questions when they don’t understand and to never give up on learning.  Dr. Pacifico appreciates the community at Holy Spirit and the learning environment the school has for students.  

Our final spotlight is our 5th grade aide and former art teacher, Ms. Amelia.  Like our first two spotlights, Ms. Amelia has also known she wanted to become a teacher since she was in elementary school! Ms. Amelia says teaching “brings out my inner child.”  A fun fact about Ms. Amelia is that she is best friends with Ms. Mk.  She also loves the Holy Spirit community and is very happy to be a part of it.