An Honors and Junior Accelerated English teacher at Edison High School who recently transitioned from teaching at J.P. Stevens, Ms. Heather Guas has advice on how students should deal with significant changes in life:
“Take some risks, talk to strangers, and be bold and observant,” she advised. “This will help you embrace the change and experience the exciting growth that comes along with it.”
Having taught at Edison High for three years (first in the early 2000s), and spending nineteen years at J.P. Stevens before recently returning, the self-proclaimed “sports mom” has taught various subjects, including English, History, and Special Education. Through her experience, which included these drastic shifts in her teaching career, Guas learned that one must take the initiative to adapt to change by building relationships and embracing new perspectives.
When re-entering EHS as a teacher after many years, Guas experienced some difficulties. She was faced with two competing feelings simultaneously. “First, I am so happy and excited to be back at Edison High, but at the same time, I miss so many people,” Guas said.
Once she moved to EHS, Guas took the initiative to identify what needed to be done to lessen the impact of this change. She decided to start by creating a teaching environment that would make her feel at “home.” On top of modifying her classroom to suit her teaching style, Guas focused on getting to know her students. “Environment and relationships are important to me, so getting the room to feel “right” was key for me,” she said. The relationships she made with the staff and students helped her find a sense of belonging on the south side of Edison.
“I entered the ninth grade in a private high school, where I was surrounded with completely new faces; everyone already knew each other except for me,” Guas recalled when talking about her own high school experience. “To get used to this new school, I tried not to judge people too early, taking risks and talking to many people. It worked out well because I ended up with a lot of different friends, helping me adjust to the new environment.”
