It is not just new students who struggle with adjusting to Piedmont. Substitute teacher Sheila Billy is adjusting to PHS, as she will be substituting for English Rosie Reid until April while Reid is on maternity leave.
Billy started teaching at PHS early in November. She teaches three freshman English classes, one English Language Learners class, and one English Language Learners class at the middle school.
Because Reid had her baby earlier than expected, substitute teacher Jack Lay came to substitute for a week because Billy had not yet received her approvals for teaching. Eventually, they developed a system in which Lay sat in the classroom while Billy taught so that someone with credentials would be in the room.
“She’s very pleasant and she’s obviously had a lot of background and training in English,” he said.
Before she came to Piedmont, Billy taught middle school and high school students in Marin and in Redwood City.
“I heard from a friend that they needed someone and I’ve always admired this district,” she said.
Billy said that the biggest difference between teaching other communities and teaching in Piedmont is the drive that students here have.
“There’ s high achievement, students are pretty focused, and college oriented,” she said.
Billy said that her favorite part about teaching is the students.
“[Students] are interested in learning and they come prepared and they stay focused and it makes teaching very exciting and very rewarding when students are engaged and they really care,” she said.
One of the things Billy emphasizes in her classes is student growth and expression.
“I like to be more of a facilitator than an instructor,” she said. “I like to allow students the opportunity to discuss and discover and do things on their own without me just telling them.”
Billy said she excited to be teaching at PHS and that she is enjoying the students and the community.
“I love to help the students find their thoughts, reach their goals, and help students find their own creativity and their own voice,” she said.
