By Darshini Dayanidhi
Ms. Bailey didn’t always plan to be a teacher. Teaching was something she stumbled into. As a child, she was an avid reader, often coming across historical references she didn’t understand. Her curiosity led her to delve deeper into those references, and when she got to college, she realized that history was exactly what she wanted to study. Originally, she aimed for a career in historical research, but life had different plans. After getting married and starting a family, one of her professors suggested that she pursue teaching. Ms. Bailey decided to make teaching her minor, and when research positions were scarce, she started applying for teaching jobs. The rest, as she says, is history.
Ms. Bailey’s teaching career took an unexpected turn when she was introduced to psychology. At first, she taught it as an elective at South, but when she moved to East, another teacher already held that position. So, she took the bold step of asking the school principal if she could teach AP Psychology. The answer was yes, but with a catch—she had to undergo an intensive month-long training program at Niagara University. The program was grueling, with eight hours of classes every day, but Ms. Bailey was up for the challenge. During her first year teaching AP Psychology, she often found herself just one unit ahead of her students, but her knowledge and confidence grew, and now she’s an experienced and passionate psychology teacher.
When asked how she balances her passion for both history and psychology, Ms. Bailey says she’s been lucky to teach both subjects at the same school. She prefers world history over U.S. history, as the global perspective is something many students don’t encounter as often. She loves sharing with her students the vast differences and complexities that exist outside of the U.S., helping them understand the broader world. In psychology, she finds personal fulfillment in helping students grasp concepts that not only help them in class but also impact their understanding of themselves and others. It’s those “aha” moments from her students that keep her passionate and inspired.
Ms. Bailey admits that learning psychology deeply affected her personal life as well. Growing up, she had a rocky relationship with her parents, but learning about psychology helped her realize that the struggles in their relationship were as much her fault as theirs. This newfound understanding led to forgiveness and a stronger bond with her parents, who are now a huge part of her life. Her knowledge of psychology also made her a more understanding parent to her children, fostering deeper conversations and connections.
Motivation, Ms. Bailey says, comes from her students. Every class is different, with its own personality, and that uniqueness keeps her teaching fresh. Whether it’s the first period that requires a bit more energy or another more engaged class, each group of students challenges her in different ways. She adjusts her teaching style to meet their needs, keeping her motivated day after day.
One of the most memorable parts of Ms. Bailey’s teaching journey has been seeing the lasting impact she’s had on her students. Some still stay in touch, and while they may not have pursued psychology or history careers, many have told her how her lessons made a difference in their lives. Knowing that her classes have opened doors for deeper self-understanding for her students is something she cherishes.
Ms. Bailey stands out because she’s never complacent. She’s constantly evolving her teaching methods, always looking for new ways to engage her students and make learning more accessible. Whether it’s history or psychology, she’s not afraid to experiment with new techniques, even if they might fail. That willingness to adapt and grow, she believes, is key to being a great teacher. She will also do anything to help her students succeed. Getting access to a back-ordered textbook may have had its challenges, but it was worth it for her students.
Additionally, as for Ms. Bailey’s hobbies, she and her husband finished visiting all 50 states in the US this past summer. Their focus was on hiking five miles in every state and seeing the sunset/sunrise each time. She states, “This is another reason I love teaching World (Global) History. US History is within our reach to explore!”
In Ms. Bailey’s words, the best teachers are the ones who “meet students where they need to be met,” and it’s apparent that her passion, dedication, and adaptability make her one of the all-time best at WEHS.