Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

EDITOR’S NOTE: The LaGrange Daily News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Troup County School System. Today, we are writing about Deneshia Norman, a seventh-grade English Language Arts Teacher and Team Leader at Callaway Middle School. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Deneshia Norman has worked in education for 7 years. For the past 6 years, she has been at Callaway Middle School and with the Troup County School System.

Norman said she has a beautiful daughter, Lailah, who is two years old.

Norman is one of the advisors for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA ) and the Event Coordinator for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She said she enjoys these roles because they allow her to support students outside the classroom, helping them develop leadership skills, teamwork, and responsibility. As the FBLA advisor, Norman gets to guide students in exploring business concepts and preparing for competitions, while as the PBIS Event Coordinator, she organizes activities that promote positive behavior and create a fun, inclusive school environment. Both roles allow her to build strong relationships with students and contribute to their personal growth.

Outside of the school system, Norman is involved in community service through her sorority, where they volunteer at local shelters. She has been actively participating in this for several years and feels it’s a rewarding experience to give back to the community and support those in need.

 

What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?)

“My inspiration to become an educator comes from a combination of personal experiences and influential people in my life. Growing up, my teachers played a huge role in shaping who I am today. They not only taught me academic skills but also instilled confidence and a love for learning that stayed with me. Their dedication and encouragement inspired me to want to have that same kind of impact on others. Another major influence was my Auntie Grace, who always told me that I would be a teacher. She believed in my ability to inspire and guide others even before I did, and her words stuck with me throughout my journey. Her unwavering belief in me planted the seed of this career path, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to fulfill that vision by making a difference in my students’ lives.”

What are your career aspirations?

“My career aspirations are centered around continuing to grow as an educator and leader within the school community. In the short term, I aim to refine my teaching practices and further enhance student engagement, ensuring that every student in my classroom feels supported and challenged to reach their full potential. Long-term, I aspire to take on leadership roles that allow me to make a broader impact on education. Whether that means becoming an instructional coach, developing professional learning opportunities for other educators, or eventually transitioning into an administrative role, my goal is to help shape a school culture that prioritizes innovation, equity, and student success. Ultimately, I want to inspire students and colleagues alike, fostering a love of learning and a collaborative spirit that extends beyond my own classroom.”

If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in?

“If I weren’t a teacher, I would pursue nursing, as it also allows me to help others, provide care, and make a meaningful difference in their lives.”

 What hidden talent do you have that might surprise your students and our readers?

“A hidden talent that might surprise my students and readers is my love for event planning and decorating. I enjoy creating beautiful, organized spaces and planning memorable events, whether it’s for a celebration or a school activity.”

What fictional character (from a book, movie, TV show, etc.) represents your teaching style?

“The fictional character that best represents my teaching style is Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. Like her, I strive to make learning an exciting adventure, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and hands-on experiences. I believe in taking risks, thinking outside the box, and fostering a classroom environment where students feel empowered to explore and grow.”

What’s the most creative/unique project one of your classes has worked on?

“One of the most creative projects my ELA class worked on was a Body Bio Project for the novel Holes by Louis Sachar. Students chose a character from the story and created a life-sized outline of their body on poster paper. Each part of the body symbolized a different aspect of the character: the heart represented their motivations, the hands their actions, the feet their journey, and the head their thoughts or decisions. Students used textual evidence to support their choices, and many added artistic flair to reflect the character’s personality and growth. This project was a fun, engaging way to analyze character development and connect with the text creatively.”

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why?

“If I could invite any historical figure to speak to my class, I would choose Nelson Mandela because of his deep love for education and his belief in its power to change lives. His dedication to justice, equality, and the importance of learning as a tool for personal and societal transformation would be incredibly inspiring for my students.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job?

“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students evolve in their academic abilities, growing in confidence, and developing a genuine love for learning.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

“The most challenging part of my job is finding ways to meet the diverse needs of all my students, ensuring each one receives the support and resources they need to succeed while balancing the demands of the curriculum.”

What’s the most unusual excuse a student has given you for not completing their homework?

“The most unusual excuse a student has given me for not completing their homework was that they had to watch their siblings because there was no one else at home to take care of them.”

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year?

“Being named my school’s Teacher of the Year meant a lot to me, as it was a recognition of the hard work and dedication I put into my teaching. It was incredibly rewarding to see that my efforts to support and inspire my students had made a positive impact.”

On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities?

“On a weekend or during the summer when school is out, my favorite activities are traveling with family and friends, exploring new places, and making lasting memories together.”

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class?

“As my students transition to the next grade, one key takeaway I hope they carry forward is that they are always capable of success and that I will always be in their corner, supporting and believing in them no matter what challenges they face.”