Rachel Bentley
In 2009, I graduated from NCSU with a B.A. in English and a teaching option. Because Wake County was on a hiring freeze the summer I graduated, I found myself searching all over the great state of North Carolina for my first teaching job. That August, I began teaching at Hertford County High School in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Though I had to get accustomed to a town with one cell phone provider, a Wal-Mart, and no sit-down chain restaurants, it was a great place to spend my first three years of teaching. Because I was at a smaller school, I had the opportunity to teach a variety of English classes and electives. By the time I left, I had taught English II, II, IV (academic and honors), Teacher Cadet 1 & 2, SAT Prep, and AP Literature and Composition.
I had the unique experience of really bonding with the Class of 2012. Because I taught English II and III my first 2 years, I taught them as both sophomores and juniors. By the time they were seniors, my principal asked me to teach English IV. Because I had stayed with them through most of their high school experience, they frequently compared me to "that teacher from Freedom Writers" (we had watched that film together my first year). I decided it was time to leave after that class graduated.
Though I found it difficult to leave Hertford County, I wanted to return to the Raleigh area where my friends and family were located. I began teaching English III and IV at Wakefield High School earlier this year. I have loved being back in the Raleigh area! I have had a great year at Wakefield HS and look forward to many more!
I had the unique experience of really bonding with the Class of 2012. Because I taught English II and III my first 2 years, I taught them as both sophomores and juniors. By the time they were seniors, my principal asked me to teach English IV. Because I had stayed with them through most of their high school experience, they frequently compared me to "that teacher from Freedom Writers" (we had watched that film together my first year). I decided it was time to leave after that class graduated.
Though I found it difficult to leave Hertford County, I wanted to return to the Raleigh area where my friends and family were located. I began teaching English III and IV at Wakefield High School earlier this year. I have loved being back in the Raleigh area! I have had a great year at Wakefield HS and look forward to many more!
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