Written by sophomore, Blair Gonzalez
In the fall of 2024, a new English teacher arrived at Celina High School with a fresh perspective and a love for literature. After moving back home to be closer to family, she knew she wanted something different from the 6A high school where she had previously worked. Celina, a 4A school at the time, offered exactly what she was looking for: a close community, a strong school culture, and a place where relationships matter.
Her journey to the class didn’t begin with English. In fact, she started college in a pre nursing program, determined to pursue a career in healthcare. After struggling through science and math courses her first semester, she began reflecting on her strengths. Her clear answer was: english, reading, writing, analyzing. It all felt natural, and with that realization she switched her major to secondary English education and never looked back.
One of McKown’s biggest inspiration behind her decision was her 12th grade English teacher, “I remember most of my teachers pretty well for a wide variety of reasons, but the most influential would be Mrs. Richey – AP Gov., Mrs. Secor – Eng. 2, Mr. Cooper – Sociology/AP Econ., and Mr. Frank – APDC Eng. 4. They all were responsible for motivating me in different ways and I’m forever thankful for the impact they had on me and my education,” McKown said.
Through the Tech Teach program at Texas Tech University, she eased into teaching gradually. She spent four semesters as a student teacher before becoming the official teacher of her own class room. Though the transition felt seamless on paper, stepping into the role alone was nerve-wracking. Suddenly she wasn’t learning how to teach, she was the one teaching.
Now, her days are anything but predictable. No two days in the classroom look the same, and that’s exactly what she loves most. Whether she’s breaking down complex literary concepts or helping a student finally grasp an idea that once seemed impossible, she finds joy in those “lightbulb moments.” She prides herself on building strong connections with both students and staff, creating an environment where rapport and trust come first. Of course, teaching comes with pressures. As a student, she remembers the weight of grades and GPAs, especially struggling with math and worrying about how it might impact college acceptance. As a teacher, the pressures are different: ensuring every student feels supported, staying organized, and balancing expectations, but she actually thrives under pressure. She jokes that she may be the biggest procrastinator she knows, yet somehow she works best when the clock is ticking.
There are challenges, too. Waking up early for someone who could happily sleep in every day. And being strict doesn’t come naturally to her. In a perfect world, she’d never have to correct behavior. But she understands that structure is part of helping students succeed.
Despite the early mornings and occasional tough moments, what keeps her motivated is simple: the students. She believes teachers hold incredible power to help young people recognize their potential. That belief pushes her to constantly find new, creative ways to reach them. She even laughs that, although she’s a younger teacher, she learns something new from her students daily, especially what the latest slang means.
At the heart of it all, she’s driven by psychology, “ I loved the psychology behind each component. It was interesting to learn the different ways to teach concepts in order to make students think. Since I’ve always had a genuine interest in psychology, it was a part of the reason I chose to be a teacher.” Macy McKown said. Understanding how to present ideas in ways that spark critical thinking fascinates her. It’s one of the reasons she gravitated toward teaching in the first place.
Looking back, it’s no surprise she chose this path. She always gravitated toward her high school teachers, regardless of the subject. The classroom felt like home long before she ever stood at the front of one.
Now, standing in her own classroom at Celina High School, she carries forward the same creativity, encouragement, and belief in her students that her teachers once gave her, shaping not just strong readers and writers, but confident young adults ready to reach their full potential.
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