Deb Stanek, Hudson High School

Position: Family and Consumer Science Teacher

Years Teaching: 40+ years

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, gardening, biking, decorating, sewing, & of course watching grandkids!

What do you enjoy most about teaching? Getting to know students over the years & seeing their future potential. I love the daily interactions with my students, they boost my spirits everyday. I also like to see the joy they get when learning something new or accomplishing something they didn’t think was possible!

What do you find the most challenging about teaching? Probably dealing with students that don’t really want to be there. They’ve almost given up on their future before it’s even started. It’s hard to get thru to the students that don’t want to put any or minimal effort into their day.

Best tip for new teachers: Remember, you are in charge, it is Your classroom. Set the rules & tone from day one. I don’t completely follow the, “don’t smile until Christmas” adage, but I work it in somehow. I also think you need to have your head on a 360 degree rotation, stay in motion in your room.

Best tip for career teachers: Always have someone in your corner you can talk with, vent to, smile with, & even cry a bit to about your day’s trials & tribulations!

Favorite piece of advice for students: Change your story & make it your own. Get organized, be on time, be a good citizen, & be kind to all!

What being a Gold Star Teacher means to you: On one hand it humbles me, there are so many deserving & wonderful teachers out there & on the other hand it validates me for teaching over 40 years, retiring 3 times & coming back for more!!