The list of “Teacher of the Year” recipients is a prolific one—past winners include award-winning Drama Director David Spearman and Science Department Chair Dan Gant. This year, yet another deserving educator, Math Department Chair Emily Willis, has joined their ranks.

“I was very honored to receive the award, especially because it was voted on by the faculty,” said the 2014-2015 SMHS Teacher of the Year. “There is no higher honor than to be recognized by your colleagues.” Willis teaches Advanced Algebra, Math 4, and AP Calculus AB.

Willis is one of 10 remaining faculty members who started teaching here when the school opened in 1997. “The school has changed a lot in the 17 years I’ve been here,” Willis said. “The student population has definitely increased although it’s starting to level out, and our diversity has certainly improved.”

After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1996, Willis heard about a new school opening in Fayette County from her roommate, who was originally from Fayetteville. “After that, I did some research and saw how excellent the school system was, so I handed in my resume and the rest is history,” said Willis, who was hired fresh out of college.  “I’m glad I’ve spent my whole career at such an exemplary school.”

Willis’ colleagues have nothing but glowing comments to describe their co-worker. “Ms. Willis is one of the best, and she is definitely deserving of [Teacher of the Year],” AP Statistics, Advanced Analytic Geometry, and Advanced Algebra teacher Vicki Morgan said. As a fellow Advanced Algebra teacher, Morgan has worked closely with Willis to develop lesson plans and said that Willis always brings new ideas to the table.

Willis’ fellow AP Calculus teacher J.B. Campbell also said that Willis is one of the most dedicated teachers at the school. “There is no one who works harder for her students or the [Math] department,” Campbell added. “She cares so much, and I can’t think of anyone who deserved the award more.” Campbell, the Math Team coach, recalls multiple occasions when Willis has filled in for him, even though she is not an official sponsor.

Willis’ students share her colleagues’ admiration. “She always explains things in a way that helps me understand,” senior Natalie Free said. Free is in Willis’ Math 4 class and said that Willis has given her  confidence in herself when it comes to math.

Junior and Advanced Algebra student Shannon Mudrinich also appreciates Willis’ teaching style. “Ms. Willis is definitely one of my favorite teachers,” Mudrinich said. “Algebra is usually something I struggle with, but she has a way of explaining things that makes it seem simple.”

Willis is just as fond of her students as they are of her. “No matter what math class a student is in, I have very high expectations for them,” she said. “Each and every one of them has the capacity to excel.” One of her favorite lessons to teach is trigonometry because she loves to see how positively students respond when the lesson has so many real-world applications, such as engineering.

“I love to see when students learn something they can use outside of math class,” Willis said. “One of the most rewarding things is when [students] tell me that they used what they learned to help them figure out something like a Physics problem.”

Although Willis’ clear and concise teaching style has made her a student favorite, perhaps what has made her most successful is her teaching philosophy. “No matter what level, all students can learn. It is my job to experiment and find out how they learn and teach them the material in a way that makes sense to them,” Willis said.