Teachers are known for the actions and personality they display inside of the classroom. In some cases, that is now how they truly are. It is a professional attitude they carry into work. It is not how a teacher truly acts once the bell rings. At the end of the language hall is Madam Betsy Powers, a French teacher who dedicates her time to teaching at Collierville High. She can be characterized as sweet, laid-back, soft-spoken, and sometimes talkative. Although these traits are true, they do not fully capture her.
Madam Powers is primarily from Collierville, TN as she “moved a lot during my childhood because my father was in the military.” He is a retired Air Force Officer. With being a military child, most her early life revolved around moving and life values. She says, “Military shaped the life values like order and structure. I grew up in faith aspects as I lived in conservative household.” Growing up, she lived with her parents and three brothers. Being the only girl, her mother had the biggest impact on her. “I’m really close with my mom as she was very deliberate about raising me because I was the only girl. She always told me to be brave and strong as a woman. She made me feel empowered and supported when I decided to study abroad.” Family is a key component in her life,
“Family is very important. They are the reason for everything in my life, my mom especially.”
Madam Powers’ personality outside of school is rather similar to the one portrayed inside of school. She would say she is “sassier,” “outspoken politically and socially,” and “relaxed” outside of working. Besides that, she also takes part in an organization called P.E.O. In the organization, “We meet once a month and raise money for women’s education across the US and Canada. I have been a part of it for 9 years.” Women’s education is also important to Madam Powers.
As mother of 2, Madam Powers has her hands full as she has “a 14-year-old stepdaughter and a 3-year-old son.” A typical day for her is, “waking up whenever my son does, watch TV, sometimes go to the park because he likes to go, and spend time with my parents.” Pretty relaxed whenever she is not teaching and school is not in. Maintaining work and personal life is not difficult as she, “decided to never work from home. I don’t grade at home… work stays at work and home stays at home.” Madam Powers’ personal life can be characterized as full of life and simple.
Furthermore, a Wesleyan College [undergraduate degree] and University of Memphis [master’s degree] graduate. Madam Powers is well-educated in the French language. She also studied abroad in France and secured a job as an English teacher there. She worked there many years before ultimately moving back to Collierville. As a child, she wanted to be a teacher, but getting older she did not want to go through with being one. She recalls when she finished her masters in French she, “had no idea what to do with it. I got a call from a teacher friend of mine saying there is a teaching position open in Memphis. Did the interview and I got the job, and it just went from there.” She took an open opportunity to become a teacher, even when she did not want to fully commit to being one. Madam Powers now enjoys being a teacher although teaching was not her first option.
Overall, Madam Powers is involved with many things. Such as working, being a mother, a part of P.E.O, and spending time with her family. Well educated as well from having two degrees and also studying abroad from some years. Madam Powers is involved, educated, an advocate, and excellent addition to Collierville High.
