CONGRATULATIONS TO AMY FITZGERALD, BROOK HILL’S TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Each year faculty members nominate a fellow teacher to represent Brook Hill as the “Teacher of the Year”.

This award given by the Rotary Club of Tyler, is a celebration of teachers who display a strong commitment to excellence in their discipline and to the Brook Hill mission. They have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues. They display creativity, a willingness to try new ideas in the classroom, poise, eloquence and above all, a Christ-like character in all areas of life.

Brook Hill Middle School Humanities teacher Amy Fitzgerald embodies this description and daily models it through her life and role as a teacher on our staff. We have been honored to have her on our team for the past 4 years and hope that you’ll join us in congratulating her as she celebrates this much deserved award.

Sharing her faith in Jesus Christ with her family and her students brings her the greatest joy and she hopes to spend many years teaching, learning, and growing in the Middle at Brook Hill. She is humbled by this award simply doing what God has called and equipped her to do.

To celebrate this award we had the opportunity to ask Amy a few questions about her teaching journey specifically and invite you to read our interview below!

BH: When did you know you wanted to be a teacher?

Mrs. Fitzgerald: I have always wanted to be a teacher. Even as a young child I would play “school”. In high school, I volunteered at my old elementary everyday after school. I couldn’t imagine being anything else.

BH: What do you love about teaching Humanities? (for those wondering what Humanities is, you can watch this quick video)

Mrs. Fitzgerald: I love great stories. I love to read. I love to write. These are all a part of my curriculum. How incredible is that?

BH: As a teacher, why do you teach at Brook Hill? What sets Brook Hill apart?

Mrs. Fitzgerald: The first line of Brook Hill’s motto: Christ-centered. Without Him, Brook Hill is just another school. Without His Truth, we are just facts on paper. Without His Purpose, we are just the next latest and greatest. We are a school of Believers wanting to help our students find Him.

BH: Thank you so much for sharing that. It inspires us! Speaking of inspiration, who inspires you as a teacher?

Mrs. Fitzgerald: Honestly? The teachers that work down Ornelas Hall. They constantly challenge me to see the bigger picture, help me see the Truth in the everyday weeds, and daily make me laugh.

BH: What are you learning right now?

Mrs. Fitzgerald: I am learning to slow down. I am still learning the art of enjoying the everyday, little things.

BH: And what’s your favorite teaching tool?

Mrs. Fitzgerald: Books. Actual books. The kind with pages to turn. There is something about holding an actual book versus a Kindle or some other technological device.

BH: We’re so thankful for you and the role that you play on our team. We’re grateful for the way you pour into your students and fellow teachers and just want you to know that it’s an honor to celebrate this award with you. Is there anything else that you want to share?

Mrs. Fitzgerald: At the end of the day, I am just Amy. I am a Christ follower, Patrick’s wife, the mother to 4 wonderful children, an Aggie, and a teacher at Brook Hill. I am living my best life and I am so thankful God led our path to The Brook Hill School.

To read more about Amy’s story you can click here.