After moving from Ohio, spanish one and two teacher Emily Rees begins her teaching career at the school.

At a glance 

Something you couldn’t live without: Chips and queso

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy

Hidden talents: Other than speaking Spanish, I do not have any hidden talent. 

Favorite pastimes: Watch TV, exercise, go shopping, go to the pool and spend time with friends

Looking Deeper

Emily Rees: When I was living in Ohio researching schools and open positions for districts in the Dallas area, Lovejoy ISD really stood out to me based off of it’s awesome reputation. Ultimately, I wanted to work for Lovejoy because I knew that working for this district would challenge me to constantly be the best teacher I can be, and hold me to the highest possible standards. Now that I work here, I know that teaching for a special district like Lovejoy is truly an honor, and that the passionate and dedicated staff and administration here at LHS has made Texas feel like home for me.

TRL: Where were you before you moved here?

ER: Before moving to Texas, I was living in my hometown of Centerville, Ohio. I lived in Oxford, Ohio when I went to school and studied at Miami University. However, when I wasn’t studying at Miami, I lived at home with my family in Centerville, Ohio, which is a suburb of Dayton, Ohio.

TRL: What inspired you to teach Spanish?

ER: My Spanish teacher for Spanish four inspired me to teach Spanish. She always challenged me and pushed me outside of my comfort zone academically because she saw the potential in me. She saw that I was good at Spanish and she helped me develop my skills and helped me find my passion for the Spanish language and culture. During Spanish four (going into Spanish five), I went on an immersion trip with a small group of students from my high school to Argentina where we explored the capital and then went and lived with host students. This experience is where I discovered my passion for the Spanish language and culture. I was inspired to teach Spanish because I wanted to prepare students to use the language in real life and was inspired to not only share my passion for the Spanish language and culture, but also the value of lifelong learning with my future students, just as my high school Spanish teachers did for me.”

TRL: Where did you go to college?

ER: I went to college at Miami University (of Ohio). I also studied abroad in Costa Rica for a semester at La Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica for a semester. I took classes at the local university while living with a host family exploring the country.

TRL: What are you most passionate about?

ER: This might seem like a generic answer, but I am the most passionate about teaching. I am passionate about making learning real-world and meaningful for my students. I am passionate about the work I do because I want to help students succeed both academically and beyond the four walls of my classroom. I am fortunate that I get to combine my passion for teaching and my passion for the Spanish language and culture in my classroom.

TRL: How did you get introduced to Spanish?

ER: I got introduced to Spanish in the sixth grade. Students could choose to take Spanish, French or German, and I chose to take Spanish.

TRL: Who in your life has inspired you the most? And why?

ER: My mom is the person who has inspired me the most in my life. She has inspired me the most in my life because she has supported me through every important step in my life, as well as taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons. She has pushed me to be the best possible version of myself and has shown me how to be resilient in the face of challenges, and has encouraged me to always “do the best you can do, that is all you can do” because hard work always pays off.

TRL: What three words would you use to describe yourself? And why?

ER: Hardworking, optimistic, and analytical. I would describe myself as hardworking because I have worked really hard to get to where I am today, and I am dedicated to working hard to continuously reach my personal and professional goals. I would describe myself as optimistic because I like to see the good and the positive in each situation I encounter. I would describe myself as analytical because I give a lot of thought into everything I do and I weigh every decision I make heavily. I tend to overthink everything since I am an analytical person.

TRL: What’s your favorite thing to do?

ER: My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family and my dogs. My family is the most important thing to me so spending time with them is my favorite thing to do.

TRL: How do you unwind after a long day?

ER: I put on my PJs, light a candle and watch my favorite TV shows. When I have the energy, I like to exercise as well.

TRL: What would you say is the most interesting thing about you? And why?

ER: When I accepted the position to teach at Lovejoy, I moved to Texas in under one week. 

TRL: Do you have any advice to younger self? 

ER: The best is yet to come! In high school it seems like everything is so important and little things seemed like they were the end of the world. However, the best years were yet to come and high school is not the end of the world. It is hard to see that in the moment, but after going through college and starting a job, I can confidently tell high school students that their best years are yet to come and to keep looking forward to what comes next in life. Also, the best you can do is all you can do–putting your best effort into what you do is all you are capable of doing, don’t be so hard on yourself.

TRL: Favorite place in the world? 

ER: Costa Rica! I studied abroad in Costa Rica. After living there for five months, I can say that it is my favorite place in the world. It has it all––the city, the beach, and the rainforest and the people there are the kindest I’ve ever met.