AP Human Geography and AP European History teacher Homa Lewis describes herself as “funny, responsible, and introverted.”
At a Glance:
Least favorite Word in the English Language: Suck
Chick-Fil-A or Raising Cane’s: Raising Cane’s
Favorite Christmas song: Christmas in Killarney
Favorite classic movie: “The Great Escape”
Most unsettling insect: Millipede
Hershey’s or Almond Joys: Almond Joys
Human Geography or European History: Tie
Looking Deeper:
The Red Ledger: How long have you taught at the high school and how did you end up here?
Homa Lewis: I’m starting my sixth year [at the high school]. Beth Smith, the social studies coordinator, and I worked in Plano, and when an opening came up, she asked me if I was interested. I taught at Plano for 19 years, then I was off teaching for about 10. I worked as a legal assistant and went to law school at SMU.
TRL: What educational schooling and training do you have?
HL: I have my undergraduate’s degree in secondary education from Texas Tech. I went to UTD for a while, so I have a few hours for humanities. Then I have a law degree from SMU.
TRL: Have you taught the same subject for your whole career as a teacher?
HL: I’ve always been social studies, but in Plano I taught Humanities, which is for 9th-10th grade Gifted and Talented students. I’ve taught AP World History, On-Level History, US History, APUSH, and PreAP World Geography.
TRL: Why do you enjoy teaching Human Geography and European History?
HL: I like HUGAP because there are so many different things that we cover, and I like to have a broad interest so I can jump around, and I do like working with freshmen. European History has always been an interest of mine. I love the royal families. I love the wars. It just worked out.
TRL: Where did you grow up, and how does that affect your life?
HL: We moved around a lot; small towns. We went overseas for a few years, and then we ended up in Midland Texas the summer before my senior year. I think it makes me aware of people who move into schools, especially high school after the year started. Living overseas gave me a sense that people lived different lives in different places in the world, so it made me appreciate what we have here.
TRL: Where have you traveled?
HL: Not too many places overseas. I’ve been to the Caribbean and Mexico. We lived in Venezuela. I’ve traveled to quite a few states in the United States. It’s just kind of nice to see places you’ve read about. Different foods, different things to do.
TRL: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
HL: I have three grown kids and five grandkids.
TRL: Are there any school activities you teach or supervise over?
HL: I do mock trial. It’s great. The kids are really good. They pretty much run it by themselves, and they’re really dedicated. My job is to arrange scrimmages and arrange transportation.
TRL: Do you have a personal teaching mantra?
HL: No invisible students. I like to know my kids. I had a student who committed suicide a long time ago. I had her the year before and didn’t really know her. No invisible students. I want to know all of them.
TRL: Why do you think you’re such a well-known teacher at LHS?
HL: I have so many freshmen. I try to be nice, and I try to work with them. I’m not really a warm, fuzzy kind of teacher, but they know I’m going to treat them well. Also, I think they enjoy my sense of humor.
TRL: What kind of effect do you want to have on the students at LHS?
HL: I would like to have them all believe that they can do whatever they want to do in life. There’s a lot of different options. I would like them to be confident learners.
