Chandler Public Schools

Bridget Hughey is a 5th grade teacher at Park Road Elementary where she teaches Language and writing.  You might catch her rapping in class, but that's just part of her teaching style.  Trying her best to accomodate all types of learners, she believes students learn best when they are interested in the subject matter.  While she grew up a few miles down the road and gradutated from Stroud High School, she has come to embrace the motto "Once a Lion, always a Lion!"

Q. When did you decide to become a teacher?  
A. I decided to become a teacher when I was a Senior in high school.  I job shadowed a third grade teacher at the time named Marsha Thompson. She was absolutely amazing! I knew the first day I watched her teach, that this is what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.  They way she made the kids enjoy learning and have fun while doing it was very inspiring to me.

Q. Can you give an example of a time when a teacher impacted your life?
A. The teachers that stick out the most in my mind is Dr. Tim Campbell and Cindy Howard. Dr. Campbell was always so proud of everything I did, even if I was unsure of it myself. He was so thoughtful and made sure that everyone was extremely successful. He worked so hard at everything he did and I will never forget him for that. He was extremely motivating for me to try to be the best teacher I could possibly be. Cindy Howard was my mentor teacher when I did my student teaching at Park Road. It is safe to say she taught me everything! She is such an amazing person and teacher. She was there by my side helping me every step of the way. My goal is to someday become the teacher that she was!

Q. What is the biggest challenge you face as a teacher?  
A. I think one of the biggest challenges is when a child doesn't have the motivation to do their very best.  I want to get to know each of my students so that I understand what their interests are.  I try to accommodate my lessons to get each child excited to learn, but when you have a large group of students, sometimes that can be quite challenging.

Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching?  
A. I enjoy the "light bulb" moments from my students the best! When they understand something they have been struggling with, it makes them so excited and that is the reason I'm here. I also love when a student is extremely proud of their work and they just can't wait for you to see it! I always tell my kids to take pride in their work and I love seeing that come out of them!  I love the everyday hugs, high fives, and fist bumps too!

Q. How long have you been teaching? 
A. I started teaching in January of 2008.  I taught 7th and 8th grade Speech and Communications, Journalism, and was the Junior High Cheer Coach.  Then in August of 2008, I came to Chandler.  I taught third grade until the last three years and since then I have been in 5th.

Q. What's a favorite memory since you've been teaching? 
A. Oh gosh, this is a hard one! I have had so many memorable experiences here but I would have to say the most memorable would be when kids ask me if I will move to the next grade level so I can teach them again. Or when past students, come to just give me a hug and say they miss being in my class. Those are the most memorable times to me!

Bridget loves to read and spend time with her family. She and her husband Kevin have three children: Tyson (12), Rylie (4), and Paisley (18 months). With daugher Rylie's cancer diagnosis, procedures, treatments and ultimately beating cancer at age three her family has been through a lot in the past few years. For Bridget there is nothing more important than her family. On the subject of her love of cooking and meal planning she says "Some call me crazy, but cooking is like free therapy to me!"