When you step into Tuscarora High School, chances are you’ll feel the steady presence of one of its longtime teachers. For 15 years, Mrs. Creter has been guiding students not only through history but also through the challenges of high school in general. Known for her dedication, she has turned her classroom into more than just a place to memorize dates and events. For her, it is about helping young people discover who they are and where they’re going. Yet her own path to teaching wasn’t straightforward. It was a journey of rediscovery, reflection, and ultimately passion.
Teaching wasn’t what Creter had originally planned. “I graduated from college with a history degree and got a job in a corporation,” she explained. “And I hated it. One day I realized, this is not for me. I wanted to do something important.” That turning point pushed her to reflect on her lifelong love for history and her interest in teaching. “History has been the common denominator of my life,” she said. “Since I was very young, it’s the one subject that has always stuck with me.” That lifelong passion combined with her drive to help others, would eventually make her not just a teacher, but an influential mentor to countless students.
Mrs. Creter’s passion for education started long before she ever thought about teaching. She spoke fondly of her college years, describing them as transformative. “I loved college. I like to learn, and I like school,” she said. “ It challenged me, introduced me to new people, and opened my eyes to the world. That experience shaped me in so many ways.” Her love for learning inspired her to earn her teaching certification at Mount St. Mary’s, where she completed her student teaching in Frederick County. From there she taught in middle schools before finding her way to Tuscarora High School. Along the way, she developed a teaching style that was both challenging and encouraging, qualities that make her the kind of teacher students remember for years.
Reflecting on that part of her career, she laughed. “Middle school teachers deserve a medal,” she said. Ultimately, though, she explained that teaching high school was what she was meant to do. “High school is where I feel most at home. It’s amazing to watch students grow into their own person.” For Mrs. Creator, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing students succeed beyond her classroom. “When my students keep in touch, when I see them graduate, go to college, start their careers, even their families, it’s just incredible,” she said. “It reminds me why I chose this path.” Many of her former students come back to visit and share milestones, something she treasures. “I get to see all the cool things they’re doing.” she said, explaining how that is the real reward. As someone who has had her as a teacher, I can say she brings out the best in her students and truly cares about where life takes them.
Her role at Tuscarora isn’t limited to history. She also serves as the teacher coordinator for Girls United, a student-led club designed to create a space for young women to support each other and grow as leaders. “When a student first asked me to be part of Girls United, I was all in,” she said. “Empowering girls to work together and lift each other up is so important in our society. I wanted it to be a place where they could make friends, share experiences, and give back to the community.” She is constantly building community and unit within Tuscarora, and it is inspiring to see. Personally, I can say that she is a great teacher with an amazing outlook on life and has helped me with career inspiration. She is someone I look up to a lot. She even pushed me to become the president of Girls United, a role I take pride in. It is my pleasure to help her in that work and to continue learning from her in so many ways.
From her early days in the corporate world to her years in the classroom, Mrs. Creter’s story proves that finding your purpose doesn’t always follow a straight line. For her, history wasn’t just a subject to study; it was the foundation that led her to the career that she truly loves. And for her students, she is more than a history teacher; she is a role model, a mentor, and someone whose lessons extend far beyond the classroom.
