Every year, thousands of kids start a new chapter at school. While those kids are starting theirs, some teachers are too.
“The kids are what I love,” Biology teacher Gail Case said.
Case has been teaching for 25 years, making her debut at New Albany this year. The switch from Hazelwood to NAHS has kept her in the district, but changed the grade level and subject she’s teaching.
“I like to continue to learn and grow and I thought to finish out my teaching career by continuing to learn and grow would be awesome and New Albany is the best opportunity for that,” Case said, “I didn’t want to go to another system; I wanted to stay in NAFCS because I think we have the best program for students.”
Formerly teaching multiple subjects (ranging from social studies to science) for fifth and sixth grade at Hazelwood, Case has switched over to only teaching Biology.
“I decided a challenge would be awesome and I love science, I wanted to try something new,” Case said.
From kids to fellow staff members, she says she’s had a fantastic start.
“It has been the warmest welcome I’ve received in my 25 years of teaching,” Case said.
Since Covid, schools have changed immensely. Teaching as a profession has shifted a lot, but it’s always been number one for Case.
“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old,” Case said. “My kindergarten teacher was an amazing woman and I wanted to grow up and be just like her. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, even on bad days.”
Case worked at Louisville, Green Valley, and Hazelwood before moving onto New Albany.
“I love the kids here, so many of them I already know from my time at Hazelwood and every student has been kind and respectful, patient with me,” Case said.
Most students from Hazelwood go to NAHS after eighth grade, so Case has seen a lot of familiar faces.
“A big difference between Hazelwood and New Albany is the kids are a lot quieter [in high school], they’ve gotten more mature,” Case said. “These are the same kids I had previously, but they’ve grown up.”
Outside of teaching, Case loves to read. She reads over 200 books a year, she says.
“My favorite genre is romance and mystery thriller,” Case said. “I’ve read like 150 something books this year and I don’t think I have a favorite yet.”
