High school teacher Kyle Plummer is relatively new to the full-time teaching position. At the beginning of this school year, he learned he would fill in for former Tyrone teacher Mr. Aharrah while the district looked for a new teacher to take over the subject. Now halfway through the school year, Plummer has learned numerous science-related subjects alongside his students, making the best of the situation.

Plummer is a Penn State University graduate majoring in social studies. He was a substitute teacher at Tyrone before becoming a full-time teacher. This transition has been no easy feat for him, especially adjusting to the new fast-paced schedule of teaching multiple subjects.

“Mr. Plummer is very patient with our class, and tries his best to give us the information we need,” said senior Mattison Rhoades.

“My favorite thing is how manageable the class is. The work is straightforward and easy for me to get done,” said senior Kasey Daughenbaugh.

Rhoades and Daughenbaugh are both students of Plummer’s fifth-period anatomy and physiology class.

Though faced with this sudden and immense change, Plummer has done an excellent job of taking control and fostering a positive learning environment for his students.

EE: What inspired you to go into teaching and/or choose the subject you teach?

KP: Growing up I was able to see the impact a good teacher can have on a student through my father. There was never a time when we would go out and his former students wouldn’t come up and talk with him to catch up. I could see how highly they thought of him and how he was able to make a positive impact on their lives. Additionally, I have had the same interactions with my former teachers who I believe were a positive influence on me. It is my goal to have the same sort of impact on my current students. 

EE: What is your favorite thing about teaching?

KP: I love summer break as well as the relationships I have been able to establish with my students. On the first day of school, it feels like we are all strangers but as the year moves along I can see the community we have developed in the classroom. 

EE: What are some of your hobbies and interests?

KP: I love to spend my free time in the outdoors hunting and fishing and can talk about these subjects for hours. I also enjoy watching football, playing poker, and spending time with friends and family. 

EE: What is some good advice you’ve been given as a teacher?

KP: Accept that your first few years are going to be a lot of work and you will make mistakes along the way, and that is ok. It’s all a process and you have to trust it. 

EE: What is the hardest part of teaching and why?

KP: Keeping up with the fast pace every day. It never feels like there is a slow moment during the school day between planning, teaching, grading, answering questions, classroom management, meetings, etc. There is rarely any time during the day to relax and take a break as a teacher. A positive of this is that the days seem to go rather quickly. 

EE: What are some of the jobs you held before getting into teaching?

KP: During the summers, I mow lawns and do landscaping and construction work.

EE: What is your best advice to students?

KP: Please read the directions at the top of your assignments.