History teacher Jennifer Creter, has been teaching for 24 years, and here at Tuscarora High School for 14-15 years. She is a highly respected member of the history department, well-liked by both her colleagues and students. Currently, she is teaching AP World History, Modern World History, and FCC History 122.
When asked about her favorite class among the three, she expressed that AP World History was her favorite class. Later on in the interview, I asked what her favorite class she has ever taught in her 24 years of teaching, and she reiterated, “I mean I really think AP World is my favorite that I’ve taught over the years.” She goes on to mention how she has taught both middle and high school which led me to ask which one she prefers, “High school definitely. Middle school teachers deserve just more […] like a raise.”
Creter began her academic journey at Shepherd University, where she majored in History and minored in Anthropology and Geography. Her transition into teaching was caused by a sense of boredom in her initial profession. She stated, “After I graduated from college, I worked for a private business and after doing that for a few years, I realized I hated it. I went back to school for my teaching certification.”
As advice to her past self (when she first began teaching), Creter said she would tell herself, “Be patient; that’s it… there’s always more to learn for yourself and your students.” After teaching for 24 years, Creter says her favorite part of teaching is the fact that it’s never boring and that there is always something to do. This also relates to her least favorite part, which she says is that there is always work to do. She even said, “… I could work literally 20 hours a day and I’d still feel like I don’t have everything done.”
Further down her career, Creter started reading and reviewing AP World AP test essays for the college board. She explained, “After everyone takes the test, and I am an AP reader, they go to central location. So for AP World History, it is in Kansas City, and you spend eight days there, and you read essays the whole time… you get with a group and you come up with your standards depending on the essay.” Having this job helps her communicate to her students exactly what AP test readers are looking for when writing short answer questions or short responses.
Creter puts the education of her students first and wants her students to be, “… aware of the world around them and how it is interconnected…it benefits them to know these things.” Everyday, she tries to educate her students not only on class subjects, but events that happen around the world. This makes it so her students receive a well rounded education on things other than the curriculum. Overall, Creter is an outstanding example of what teachers should strive to be as well as being an amazing role model and teacher.
