2 days Ago
Tegan Bondy was the only person in her family to pursue teaching. She didn’t really know any teachers growing up, except for the teachers she had, of course. Bondy’s parents knew how challenging a career in education could be so they were hesitant when Bondy decided to go to college and major in education.
“In my senior year, I sat down and weighed out my skills and what I wanted out of a career,” she explained. “It all added up to teaching. I wanted to do good work and I liked the lack of monotony.
I wanted to teach English because it was always my favorite subject.” Now in her sixth year as an English teacher and speech and debate coach at West Ashley High School, she feels she is exactly where she was meant to be. She explained that she enjoys teaching high school because she feels she can relate to the students and can communicate with them on a more common level.
The speech and debate team at West Ashley High School was created six years ago by a student who showed interest and desired to start a team. As a new teacher at the time, Bondy was asked to help run the program. Now, she has been the lead advisor for the six years that she has been there.
“I like it because I get to work with kids that don’t get to see in class,” she commented. “It is great to see what the kids are passionate about. It isn’t grade-related so that takes the pressure off.
It is awesome to see how they improve throughout our practices. Not to mention, they help me become more knowledgeable about current events." The speech and debate team meets once a week and competes five times a year in competitions throughout the state.
Bondy described coming back to school after the pandemic and how it was a very memorable time in her career. "The kids were so excited to be back and to see each other again. They missed school.
It was reassuring to see them and I will never forget the excitement and energy of that time. It made me realize that the interactions we have and just what we do as teachers can make a real impact," she said. The community at West Ashley High School is wonderful because it feels like a family, Bondy said.
"Our school is truly a ‘neighborhood’ school. I love the diversity. I love meeting kids from all different walks of life.
All the people here are great, from the faculty to the student body." Bondy has spent her entire career at West Ashley High School, which is part of the Charleston County School District. She is originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, and graduated from the College of Charleston.
She teaches high school English 1, 2, and honors for 10th and 12th grades. For her, it was her English and Spanish teachers growing up who inspired her to pursue teaching. “I had really impactful teachers.
The relationships they built with me were the best. They opened up my mind to the world around me.” Her advice to young people wanting to pursue teaching is: "Be realistic.
Not every day is going to be perfect. Do the best you can. You may not always be able to give 100%.
Some days it might be 90% or even just 10%, but give what you can. It will go a long way." As for Bondy’s parents, they are very happy with her career choice now.
“They are proud of me and are happy to see me happy,” she said..
