Sharing passion for Spanish fulfilling for Triway High’s Rickett
Ellie Rickett is in her fourth year of teaching in the Triway Local School District. She teaches Spanish at Triway High School.
Ellie Rickett always had a great time during her Spanish classes in high school.
Her teachers made the classes an enjoyable experience, leading to her becoming a Spanish teacher herself.
“I always had a blast with my Spanish teachers,” said Rickett, who teaches Spanish at Triway High School. “They made learning fun and meaningful, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
Rickett has been a teacher for seven years. One experience stands out the most to her during that time frame.
“Having the opportunity to live in Spain and teach English for a school year was an unforgettable experience,” she said. “It not only made me fall in love with teaching, but it also gave me so much perspective of the culture and diversity that exists in our world.”
When Rickett began her teaching career, she didn’t realize how often she would laugh at herself and with her students.
“Initially, I was so scared to make mistakes, especially in front of students,” she said. “But now I realize that when I do, it shows the kids that it’s OK to make mistakes and that we can learn from them, especially when you can laugh about it too.”
Helping the next generation learn Spanish is rewarding for Rickett.
“I love the subject that I teach, and getting to share my passion with others while educating them at the same time is very rewarding, especially when it inspires them to be curious about the world and what it has to offer,” she said.
Having enough time to develop quality relationships with all her students can be challenging and concerns Rickett.
“I have around 126 students in my classes this year,” she said. “Sometimes I worry that I am not getting to know them all as equally as I would like to.”
Rickett played soccer and lacrosse and was a member/sports editor of The Blade, her school’s newspaper, while she was a student.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends and visiting new places when not teaching.
“Teacher Spotlight” is a feature on a local teacher.