Exit Interview: Ms. Amy Minkley
It is the end of the school year which means that we will soon have to say goodbye to a few of our favorite teachers. This year, 17 middle school teachers are leaving and over the next 15 school days, The Direct Message will post an ‘Exit Interview’ that we conducted with each of these educators. Check out all the Exit Interviews by clicking here: Exit Interviews Ms. Amy Minkley Years at AES: 4 years 2013-2017 Next Stop: Bhutan . . . and the world Courses Taught: Humanities 7, MUN What will you miss most about AES? I will miss my wonderful students and their silliness, and seeing them grow throughout the year. I’ll also miss what I teach. What is the best part about being a teacher at AES? Watching my students grow and change from the beginning of the year. Even teaching the middle school. You can’t have a fun but serious conversation about something like world issues with an elementary schooler, but you can with a middle schooler. What are your plans for next year and what are your thoughts about this next step? I’m going to volunteer and travel. I’ll be teaching reading in a rural school in Bhutan, and I’ll also be travelling and scuba-diving and taking yoga courses. I’m really excited. How do you hope your students and colleagues will remember you? I hope they know I really cared about them. I hope they know that I care about their spirits. I hope they felt cared for. What message would you like to leave for the community at AES? That I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be part of this community which is very special. I feel very honored, thankful and blessed to be part of this community. Be kind and be a family and support each other, like I’ve been treated. What the students had to say. Kargil Behl, Grade 7 What will you remember about Ms.Minkley? “Ms. Minkley is an awesome teacher as she connects with everyone in our class and helps us all learn. She can be very funny and exciting and gives the greatest feedback.” What is a funny or memorable story that you have about Ms.Minkley? “I remember on WOW a lot of my friends were in her camp, but I wasn’t. After our campfires, my friends told me that Ms. Minkley had told the greatest story ever. They told me the story of the family who wished at a cost. It kind of spread like a wildfire through everyone.” “I also remember that when we traveled for MUN, we had a jam-packed schedule from the second we arrived in Shanghai. She took us to an acrobatic show, Pearl Tower, and all sorts of different shops in just a few hours. She also helped everyone at the actual conference get involved and visited every single room.” What makes Ms.Minkley unique? “Ms. Minkley is involved in so much like volunteering with Reach Out, Model United Nations with all students, and Humanities.” Aarav Gambhir, Grade 7 What will you remember about Ms.Minkley? “Ms. Minkley has been my favorite teacher ever. She has really helped me grow in my writing. Her style of teaching is excellent, and she is the reason why my writing has improved. Another thing I will remember about Ms. Minkley is how kind she is. Not just to her students, but to anyone. What she does for the After-School Reach out Club, it is just amazing. These kids from the Vivekananda Camp from across the street don’t really have too many opportunities to enjoy activities like we do and she makes sure that the children get fun opportunities.” “I will best remember Ms. Minkley’s spirit. She cares about her work and plans every minute of class so carefully and thoughtfully. MUN was so interesting because she taught us so well.” What is a funny or memorable story that you have about Ms. Minkley? “Ms. Minkley loves cakes and chocolate chip cookies. She loves when kids bring in food for class parties.” What makes Ms. Minkley unique? “Ms. Minkley’s kindness, teaching style, her love for travel and excitement about working with children.” “All the things I will remember about her is what makes her unique. Her spirit, her kindness, her teaching style, all those things make her unique.” Maya Dhar, Grade 7 What will you remember about Ms. Minkley? “I will remember her positive attitude and how excited she always is about what she is teaching. I love how she is very encouraging of learning and how she always try’s to make sure that everyone is included.” What is a funny or memorable story that you have about Ms.Minkley? “Personally, I don’t have any moments in particular, but I feel that every class spent with her is special and something to look forward to!” What makes Ms. Minkley unique? “Ms. Minkley is unique because she is very enthusiastic about teaching and it is easy to see that she loves what she is doing.” #ExitInterviews