Pike County News Watchman The Pike County News Watchman featured a "Teacher Spotlight" article interviewing Waverly Highs, Mrs. Amelia Dickens. The article was written by alumni, Class of 2016, Elizabeth Howard...
Amelia Dickens has taught for 26 years in the Waverly City School District and currently teaches English at Waverly High School.
Through her teaching career at Waverly, she has enjoyed inspiring her students to achieve their dreams and succeed in the career of their choice.
When asked where she went to college, Dickens said she attended the University of Rio Grande.
“I graduated from (Waverly) High School in 1991,” Dickens said. “So I started (at Rio Grande) in the fall of ‘91 and graduated in the spring of ‘96. I majored in English and then had a minor in Communications and Secondary Education.
“I had a double minor in Comprehensive Communication which is where you get your Journalism, your Theatre, your speech endorsements, and then Secondary Education,” Dickens added.
In addition to her master’s degree in Educational Technology, her bachelor’s degree in English and her double minor, Dickens also earned a gifted endorsement, which means she can teach a gifted class.
When questioned when she started teaching, Dickens said she started the fall of 1997.
“I taught seventh grade. My last year in seventh grade ended spring of 2008. I loved my seventh graders; they were fun. So, I came to the high school, and I had freshmen, which everybody tells you that you don’t want freshmen, but I loved freshmen. I taught freshmen for maybe six or seven years. And then when this position became available, I said, ‘Heck, we’ll try that next.’ And then I have had seniors ever since.”
Mrs. Dickens has taught a variety of subjects through her tenure at Waverly.
“Currently I teach AP (Advanced Placement) English Literature, English 12, Speech and Journalism. I have all seniors in English, Speech, and AP, and my journalism class this year is a mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.”
When asked why she enjoys being a teacher, Dickens said, “I like watching my students grow. I like to see them get excited about what they read. I like to watch their writing get better and better. When they graduate, I like when I see them doing things that are writing-related where they use their writing to advance their career.”
Dickens’ favorite thing about being a teacher is working with her students. She wants to inspire her students. She really has a heart for her students and their education. She has inspired a lot of students over the years in ways that she will never know.