Western-Star.com

Name: Sue Wright.

Residence: "My husband and I just bought our first house last year, in Deer Park."

Family: "I just got married last July. My family consists of my husband, Patrick, and our two cats, Indy and Ellie."

College/work experience: "I received a bachelor's degree in English Literature and also a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Cincinnati. I have since obtained my master's degree at Miami University."

How long have you been teaching and where? "This is my fifth year teaching. I work at Morrow Elementary in the Little Miami school district. I was an intern here while in college and have been teaching here ever since!"

Subject area and grade: "I teach third grade in a self-contained classroom. This means that I teach all academic content areas."

Why do you teach? "When it was time for me to choose a major, I thought about how much of our lives are spent at our place of employment. I wanted to do something with that time that I felt would make some kind of difference. I also wanted a career that I would enjoy day after day, and year after year."

Teaching philosophy: "I believe that every student has the ability to be successful. It is my job to use patience, consistency, and creativity to help each student reach his/her potential."

Inspiration: "The students really are my motivation. Seeing them work hard, try new things, improve, laugh, and make me laugh is what inspires me. I am also fortunate to work in a building with teachers I look up to, and who are willing to share their ideas."

What are your professional goals? "I would like to continue my education beyond my master's degree. I would also like to continue going to workshops to get new ideas and try new things in my classroom."

Personal interests: "I love to travel. My husband and I joined a travel club, and we can't wait to take advantage of it. We also enjoy camping. We pack all of our gear on our backs and hike to a site in the woods. I am also an avid reader, and must have a book!"

Classroom success story: "My first year of teaching I had a student who lost his mother at a very young age. One day he gave me a hug and said, 'I wish you could be my mom.' I remember this with such fondness because it made me realize what an influence I could be to my students. I could reach them beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. That was a very special and powerful moment for me."