2023-2024 Teacher of the Year & Scholarship Awardees
Stacey Holley - teaches ESL courses
How did you end up at Reynolds high school>
I came to Reynolds High School in 1997. Prior to that I was teaching ESL at Forsyth Technical Community College. I went to an international TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) conference in Florida, where I met Dr. Joy McLaughlin. I traveled to Florida only to meet a local person who would change my life in the best way imaginable. She was the founder of the ESL program at RJR, and at the same time we were the only high school ESL program in the county and bursting at the seams. I told her I was looking for a full-time position, and she insisted that I meet Stan Elrod and interview with him. I interviewed with him in mid-August and started working at RJR on August 21, 1997. It was a total game changer for my career.
How did what you had heard about RJR match what you actually found at RJR?
When I was in high school at High Point Central in the 1980’s, I had always heard that Reynolds was considered one of the best schools in the state. I honestly didn't know much about this school other than that. After completing my first year, I learned while Reynolds had (and always has had) a stellar and supportive faculty and support staff, a super diverse population, and a great administrative team. I found that Reynolds was a place where I could grow my teaching skills, make some lifelong friends, and could teach and guide some of the most amazing young people quite literally in the world.
What was an average day at school like for you this year?
An average day for me at RJR consists of lots of quick, fun conversations with our multilingual students before and between classes, teaching newcomers and more advanced multilingual learners, tutoring, collaborating with other teachers, and planning. Even though the schedule is the same every day, no two days are the same. Although they happen, it is kind of hard to have a bad day if you come in with the right attitude.
What are the courses you instruct at RJR (and please give a brief description of each different course)?
I have taught a lot of different courses in my time, but my specialty is teaching language and making it comprehensive for our multilingual learners. When I first started, I was teaching earth science, math, and U.S. History in Spanish and English to our multilingual learners who struggled with literacy and their first language of Spanish. I have taught Seminar-in-the-Arts and Creative Writing. I currently teach the newcomers to this country in ESL level l. In addition to that, I teach a high intermediate group of ESL 3 students where we focus on polishing our reading and writing skills.
How would you size up the RJR student body?
We are so diverse. We mirror the real world and the actual demographics of Forsyth County. I've always loved that about our student body. Our student body embraces diversity.
What is your family life like?
I am blessed that I come from a large supportive family, many of whom have been or are educators. I've been married for 27 years, and we have a 19 year old daughter in college. We enjoy traveling and going to concerts.
Why did you go into teaching as a career?
It was quite by accident that I got into teaching. I never set out to be a teacher. I did a semester abroad in Spain in college, then moved back with a one-way ticket after I graduated. I learned some Spanish and started tutoring my Spanish friends in English. I realized that I could help them learn English, not only could I help them, but it was fun. I came home and went to graduate school where I received my MA in Reading Education and my certificate to teach ESL. I went into this career because it is rewarding, and I feel like I get to travel the world for free. I get to work with some amazing students from all over the world. Many days I leave feeling they are my teachers.
What are your goals and aspirations?
My goals and aspirations are to continue to learn, polish my craft, and not let a day go by without laughing. Retirement is on the horizon, but I am not done yet. I plan to have a strong finish with my career. I'll always be a learner, because that is where the growth is. When I move on from teaching, I hope to work with refugees who are resettling in our area through World Relief.
Is there anything else you would like to tell the RJR alumni?
I'd like to thank the RJR alumni for being such amazing advocates of “Dear old Reynolds High.” Without your support emotionally and financially, we would not be the amazing school that we are today. Thank you for believing in this institution and all those that spend time here. I am truly grateful for this school and all those that made it the wonderfully diverse academic/arts/athletics establishment that it is!
Payton Britt
What do you like academically about RJR?
The thing I like most about the academics at RJR is the diverse learning environment it provides. It brings together students from all different backgrounds and cultures, creating a more enriching environment atmosphere.
What do you dislike academically about RJR?
One thing I dislike about RJR academics is the lack of STEM AP courses provided. A lot of students have to take the majority of their AP's at the Career Center, which is inconvenient.
What “after hours” school activities did you participate in?
I participated in Cross Country, Indoor Track, Girls Soccer, Girls Council, and Youth and Government.
What do you like (and/or dislike) socially about RJR?
RJR allows for all grades to interact with each other, creating a very connected school community. There are no social divisions between freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Instead we are all just one big family of demons!
Who was (or were) your favorite teacher(s) and/or coach(es), and why?
My favorite and most play influential team teachers at Reynolds were Ms. Walters and Mr. Clevenger. Ms. Walters was both my yearbook and AP Language teacher, and has served as an amazing role model for me throughout my time at Reynolds. She is so kind and compassionate, and such a bright light in the Reynolds hallways. Mr. Clevenger is the most fun and caring teacher. He was my junior year AP U.S. history teacher, and he never failed to make me laugh and show me support through the tough times of my junior year.
What was an average day at RJR like for you this year?
An average day at RJR was full of friends, laughs, and fun. I truly have enjoyed every single day of my senior year. Most of my days were spent catching up with my friends and teachers, learning so much new information, and doing fun projects in my AP World History and Biology classes, and creating the 2024 yearbook in Ms. Walters’ rooms. I am forever grateful for the education I received at Reynolds.
What will be your favorite memories about going to Reynolds…and why?
My favorite memories about going to Reynolds will definitely be going to sports events. Going to football and basketball games were so much fun, and allowed for all my friends to meet up after a long week and let loose and cheer on the fellow demons! We would always go out and eat afterwards and have so much fun together.
What will be your worst memories about going to Reynolds…and why?
My worst memories at Reynolds were from being so stressed and tired during my junior year. During my junior year I was under a lot of academic stress, and was unable to fully enjoy being in school and with my friends. In hindsight, I'm so glad that I worked hard my junior year, because it allowed me to have so much fun and be carefree my senior year.
What was the favorite class you took (and why)?
My favorite class I took was AP Biology with Ms. Eldridge. This class was pure fun! I have always loved science, so I love the curriculum of this class. I also sat beside my best friends and would laugh and smile all class. Every single class we would always have the best time with Ms. Eldridge, and I always looked forward to coming to Biology every day.
What was the hardest class you took (and why)?
The hardest class I took was AP Language and Composition with Mrs. Walters. This class was difficult because it involved a lot of tedious writing, which I do not enjoy. However, Mrs. Walters was a great teacher, and I was able to do well in the class.
Considering all four years: how will you remember your times at RJR (and feel free to express your honest opinion)?
Considering all four years, I remember my time at Reynolds as a time where I met my best friends, grew to be so much more confident in myself and abilities, challenged myself in the classroom, met many new people, and accomplished so much more than I ever could have imagined.
What would you change about RJR if you could…and why?
If I could change one thing about Reynolds, I would update the interior of the building. Reynolds is such a beautiful building with amazing historical architecture. However, some of the bathrooms and classrooms do not do the building justice because of how rundown they are. Therefore, I would update the bathrooms and classrooms.
Where are you going next year (school-wise), and what will you be majoring in (if you know)?
I'm attending UNC Chapel Hill next year, while majoring in Biology on the pre-dental track.
Is there anything else you want to tell the RJR alumni about the four years you spent at Reynolds High School (and feel free to express your honest opinion)?
I am forever grateful for my time at Reynolds. It has shaped me into the young woman I am today, and I am so happy I made the decision to come a demon! Thank you so much for gifting me with this scholarship. I am so grateful and cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Alaina Morales Noyola
What do you like academically about RJR?
Something I academically like about RJR is I love the support system my teachers and staff at RJR had for each one of their students, by teaching us new things every day. When I see my grade increase I feel less stressed.
What do you dislike academically about RJR?
I don't academically dislike anything about RJR. I always turned in my assignments so I never had a problem.
What “after hours” school activities did you participate in?
Some after hours activities I’ve participated in was the Lifeline to Wellness event at Enon Church. I assisted my home church by cleaning the environment. I also participated in Novant Health Bridges to Healthcare Program.
What do you like (and/or dislike) socially about RJR?
What I socially dislike about RJR is how some people don't smile back, and how some people waste their time being out of class instead of not taking advantage of the education that is right in front of them.
What was (or were) your favorite teacher(s) and/or coach(es), and why?
My favorite teacher is Ms. Rybak because she always smiling, and brightened my days in quarantine online classes, and she made Biology so much so fun and easy for me.
What was an average day at RJR for you like this year?
An average day for me at RJR this year has actually been the same. I was stressed out by having so much to do as a senior heading to college. Any other day was fun because I had something new to discover and experience in my everyday classes.
What will be your favorite memories about going to Reynolds, and why?
My favorite memory Reynolds was definitely senior picnic, because it brought me back to my childhood, where life was normal without phones, everybody running around and eating slushies, just enjoying nature was a beautiful thing to experience.
What will be your worst memories about going to Reynolds, and why?
I don't really have any bad memories at RJR because life was good. I stayed smiling even on my worst days.
What was the favorite class you took, and why?
My favorite class I took was Biology because we got to do lab activities learn about organisms by using mnemonics, which was fun to me.
What was the hardest class you took, and why?
The hardest class I took was Math because I wasn't so good at remembering formulas, but factoring and combining the terms are fun.
What would you change about RJR if you could, and why?
What I will remember about RJR are the times I felt alone because if it wasn't for the support of the staff or teachers I would absolutely have been lost and have no external/internal motivation. I received so much help from my surroundings like tutoring. I've been offered so many opportunities by my counselor and my guides to make a difference. I received an answer to all my questions about my concerns about school. I will remember RJR by cherishing the hard times I've been through to be successful in life. RJR has a special place in my heart that I will honorably carry till my death.
Where are you going next year (school-wise), and what will you be majoring in (if you know)?
The school I'll be attending my education is UNC Greensboro, and I'll be majoring in Nursing to become an Emergency Registered Nurse; but I'm also thinking about Biology to go into pre-Med. I
Is there anything else you want to tell the RJR alumni about the four years you spent at Reynolds High School (and feel free to express your honest opinion)?
I wish I could stay here forever, but thanks to RJR alumni I'm ready to go experience what the world has prepared for me.