Returning teacher Tammy Soelberg is joining the staff again after leaving in 2018. Now she teaches AP Literature after teaching an assortment of different subjects. 

Talya Gabay: How long have you been teaching?

Tammy Soelberg: Over 20 years. I feel like 22, but for sure over 20.

TG: What have you taught?

TS: So I have taught AP Lang, AP Lit, Honors 10, Beginning and Advanced Dance- all of that stuff here. At other schools I taught everything from Beginning Dance Company Dance, Humanities, honors sophomores, on level sophomores, and I think that’s it.

TG: What was your favorite out of all of those classes to teach?

TS: I would say AP Lit.

TG: What’s your favorite book?

TS: So my favorite author is David Valdacci. I have read like every book that he has written and I just love him. He’s got like different series that he works within them too, they’re just super good.

TG: How do you like teaching at Perry?

TS: I love Perry. For me it’s being home because I was here for five years until 2018, so it’s just like walking back into home. Like there’s people that I know, everything’s familiar, it’s awesome. The kids are awesome, it’s great. 

TG: Why did you come back to Perry?

TS: I came back because they asked me to. They needed somebody for second semester and it’s dual enrollment, which is everything that I’ve taught before with seniors and they asked if I could come and do it for a semester and I said yes.

TG: Was this your dream career? If not, what was it?

TS: It’s funny because I majored in English in college, and minored in dance and I said ‘I am not going to be a teacher, I am not going to do it’,  so my dream job was to be a technical writer which I did for two years for Ticketmaster in their corporate office and it was terrible. Because I’m a people person and you didn’t really have the interaction with people. And I taught dance my whole life and my husband was like ‘why are you doing this? You need to be a teacher,’ and he was correct. And I love it. For me, students make my job. Like that’s just it. I love the interaction with students.

TG: If you were a character in a book who would you be and why?

SC: There’s so many choices, but whoever it is, I would want it to be not the typical heroine. I want to be the strong, female, independent person who takes on the world. I don’t know who exactly that is though. Maybe I want to be black widow. Maybe that’s it.

TG: Would you rather have super speed or strength? Why?

TS: Strength, because I feel like, I think strength like mentally and physically and if you have that, you can handle anything.

The staff is welcoming Soelberg back after a four year break. Because she teaches a senior level class, all current freshman, sophomore, and juniors have the opportunity to learn under her advisement. 

Stacey Campbell is one of the newest members of the English department. Originally a substitute teacher, she is brand new to education and is now teaching English 10.

Talya Gabay: How long have you been teaching?

Stacey Campbell: I have been substituting since 2006 and officially I have just started in January of 2022. So brand new, but I have done long term subs in the past. In fact, last year during COVID I taught English 12.

TG: Since you were a substitute, do you like being a full time teacher better?

SC: I do. You get to know the students better, but I did enjoy the fact that everyday was new when you’re a substitute. But you have a lot more control over your schedule and you get to see students progress and see something through.

TG: What class and grade do you teach?

SC: I teach English 10.

TG: What is your favorite subject to teach? 

SC: English. I love to read and I think you can learn so many things from books and if I can get a student excited about learning and learning more about themselves from reading a book, I think that’s a success.

TG: What’s your favorite thing about interacting with students? Least favorite?

SC: My favorite thing is just getting to know them and having them watch them learn new things and my least favorite is if I don’t remember their names, I hate that. Because I have so many, I really try to be conscious of remembering everybody’s name.

TG: What’s your favorite book?

SC: I have so many, I would say ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver.

TG: What are your hobbies?

SC: I like to ride my bike, I have two dogs, I like to hike, anything outdoors, I love the beach, and if I didn’t mention I love to read, I love to read.

TG: If you were a character in a book who would you be? Why?

SC: I like Scout Finch from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird” because she’s spunky and inquisitive, and I like that.

TG: Was your dream career a teacher? If not, what was it?

SC: Actually, I wanted to be a journalist for the longest time, but coming into education later, I think this is becoming my dream job.

TG: What’s your biggest pet peeve?

SC: In teaching, it’s students crowding the door near bell time.

TG: What is your dream vacation?

SC: My dream vacation is just anywhere snorkeling. And I haven’t been to Greece, so I’d like to go to Greece and the beaches.

TG: What is your idea of a perfect day?

SC: The perfect day would be I would like to go on a long bike ride and then I would like to read a book and spend time with my family, and probably get a pizza. Very simple.

TG: Do you have any irrational phobias?

SC: Clowns. I think they’re weird and scary.

TG: If you were leaving your house, what three things would you need?

SC: My cell phone, and some chapstick, and a blanket. I know it sounds crazy, but I always get cold in Arizona so I keep a lap blanket.

Campell filled in for blah blah teacher, and there is a lot more to learn about her that current sophomore and this year’s freshman have the opportunity to experience.