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 Hollie Palmer, a first grade teacher at Hogansville Elementary School. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Hollie Palmer has been teaching for nine years all of which have been with the Troup County School System and at Hogansville Elementary School.

Hollie has been married to Donnie Palmer for 9 years. They have 3 kids: Ellie, Juliette, and Barrett. Ellie and Juliette are current students at Hogansville Elementary School. 

Palmer is a co-chair of staff morale. She and her teammates plan potlucks, videos, and other fun activities for the school’s staff.

“I love planning things for the teachers and support staff at the school because it helps us to remember to have fun!” Palmer said.

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

“The job I had in college inspired me to become a teacher. I originally went to college to be a nurse. At the time, I worked at a daycare and loved every minute of it. I loved reading to the kids, I loved doing activities with them, I loved teaching them letters, numbers and so much more. I made the decision to change majors from nursing to education.”

What are your career aspirations? 

“I truly enjoy being a classroom teacher. I do not see myself entering administration or any other area of education, anytime soon.”

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

“One thing I really enjoy about teaching is being silly with the kids, whether that is in silly voices, acting things out or just dancing along with them. If I were not a teacher, I could see myself maybe being in entertainment as an actor or other performer.”

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

“I am secretly very artsy/crafty. I love a good painting project or sewing craft.”

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

“As silly as it may sound, I think Mrs. Doubtfire represents my teaching style. Mrs. Doubtfire loves to do voices when she reads to the kids and she is willing to do just about anything for her kids. Not to mention, on the 100th day of school, I can also be seen dressed as an old lady.”

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

“My favorite subject to teach is writing. I have loved some of our opinion writing activities when I have students write what they think I want for Christmas or what they think I should be for Halloween. Their answers are always so creative and their reasoning always makes me giggle.” 

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

“Ruby Bridges is someone we learn about in first grade social studies, so the kids already know about her. I would choose Ruby Bridges because her biggest accomplishment happened when she was their age, in first grade. She also embodies all of the character traits we learn about at school during our social/emotional time. She is kind, respectful, a friend, patient, honest, caring, courageous, cooperative and persevered when things were exceptionally tough.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the pride students have in themselves. Time and time again, I see students light up with pride when they read something for the first time, write a sentence independently or even solve a math equation on their own.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“There are many challenging parts of being a teacher, but the most challenging part is finding the balance between teaching multiple curriculums, planning and communicating with parents.”

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

“First grade does not have much homework, usually just one page per week. I haven’t gotten any unusual or funny excuses for students not doing their homework.”

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

“I never thought I would be named Teacher of the Year. Knowing that I have made an impact on not only my students, but my coworkers, who voted, is truly an honor. If anyone has seen the video, it is evident that I was genuinely surprised by the announcement, because I burst into tears. It is not often that I am proud of myself, but I can honestly say that I feel great pride.”

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

“On the weekends, I love to go to Goodwill or relax and read a good book.”

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? 

“One thing I hope my students take with them to the next grade is to always have fun. I try to be silly and do silly things with the kids. They only get this one year with me as their teacher, and I want them to remember how fun 1st grade was.”