This year at Priory, students have had the unique opportunity to see a familiar name return to the math department… twice in a row! With Ms. Poth joining at the beginning of the year and Mrs. Poth returning to the classroom mid-year, the school community has witnessed a rare mother-daughter teaching experience. For this month’s Teacher Edition of The Record, I interviewed both Mrs. and Ms. Poth about what it’s like to work together in the same school.
- What was your initial reaction when you found out you would be working at Priory at the same time as your mother/daughter?
Ms. Poth: When I originally took the job, I was under the impression that my mom would be living her retired life, so it was definitely surprising when I heard she was making a comeback. But it didn’t bother me – we’ve always been very close. I figured I could survive a couple of months working with her. And it’s actually been really fun to see her in this setting. It has definitely been a very unique opportunity, and she’s only embarrassed me a few times.
Mrs. Poth: Well, I was coming out of a brief retirement, so that was already going to be an adjustment. Honestly, I love working with Chaley, but we have agreed that I don’t get to use the “parent card” at work. We don’t really cross paths that often since we are teaching in different buildings.
- (To Ms. Poth) Coming to Priory, did you feel any added expectations or pressure knowing your last name already had a strong reputation within the school? How was that experience for you?
Ms. Poth: It’s funny because I’ve always felt confident in the classroom, so it wasn’t something that I was initially worried about. But after hearing “you have big shoes to fill” more times than I can count, I did start to wonder if I should be nervous. Truthfully, we have pretty similar teaching styles, so it was nice to have some of her past students. It seemed as though they transitioned into the style of teaching more seamlessly because they were used to it. It was also nice to have some familiar names and faces with the faculty.
- Have any of your teaching methods influenced each other since working at the same school?
Ms. Poth: We’ve been influencing each other’s teaching long before we worked at the same school. My mom was my best resource when I was a new teacher, and she continues to be a big influence. We’ve always shared materials, swapped ideas, and talked through lessons. It’s been great to have her as a sounding board, and I hope I’ve offered her that same support to her as well.
Mrs. Poth: Definitely. Teaching has been part of many of our conversations. She used to help me grade papers when she was growing up, so it has been fun to see that come full circle. Now that she has a formal background in math and education, I get to pick her brain about all the “newfangled” teaching methods that weren’t a part of my training 30 years ago. Our styles are pretty similar, so it’s like old-school meets new-school, and it blends pretty well.
- Have you found that your relationships and interactions change when you’re in “teacher mode” at school versus at home?
Ms. Poth: Not really… the Mrs. Poth you see at school is pretty much how she operates everywhere. We do talk about work outside of school, much to the dismay of our family members who are constantly asking us to put an end to the math talk… which I truly can’t imagine why!
Mrs. Poth: Not really. Chaley’s definitely the polished one, and I’m the “what you see is what you get” one … humor, sarcasm, and occasionally lacking a filter. I like to say she’s the fun one and I’m the funny one. At school, we are both in teacher mode, focused on getting rigorous learning done.
- Who would you say is more strict in the classroom? Has Mrs. Poth passed on her terrifying ‘ Poth quizzes’?
Ms. Poth: I’ve never been in her classroom, so I can’t fairly judge. Maybe I need to observe and report back. Yes, I’m sure everyone was delighted to hear that the “Poth Quizzes” have lived on. I couldn’t help but laugh when the year began, and all the students called it that immediately. Even my younger students, who never had her, picked up the name right away. She clearly left a lasting impression… and possibly a little trauma.
Mrs. Poth: I’m relatively strict, but I’d say I’m probably the scarier one (a personal goal of mine). Most students quickly realize that my bark is much worse than my bite, but don’t include that in the article! I hope the tradition of the “Poth Quiz” lives on … there’s really nothing quite like a good Poth Quiz to keep students on their toes and slightly panicked.
