For many teachers, education is a calling. For Mrs. Shamy, it was a path she initially tried to avoid.
“Both of my parents were teachers,” she said. “My sister was a teacher, my grandmother was a teacher, and my dad was actually my teacher.” Growing up surrounded by educators, Mrs. Shamy was determined to pursue a different career. She began college as a pre-med student before discovering her passion for English literature.
“I fell in love with literature, and I loved being an English major,” she explained. After graduating, she worked in corporate publishing for Prentice Hall, helping produce literature textbooks. However, office life was not for her.
“I hated it so much,” she said. “I was not fit for corporate America. So I asked myself, ‘What do I love doing?’ I love people, I love learning, and I love teaching.”
That realization eventually led her to the classroom.
Mrs. Shamy has been teaching since 2004 and is currently entering her 22nd year as an educator. Throughout her career, she has taught only English, but she has worked with students at every level imaginable; she has taught from classes with just a few students receiving specialized support to Advanced Placement courses.
When asked what she enjoys most about teaching, her answer was immediate: the students.
“I love working with students,” she said. “It’s the highlight of Monday—getting to know people and watching them learn.”
She also appreciates the supportive environment at Chatham High School, especially the relationships among faculty and administrators.
“I really love our administration,” she said. “We have an amazing administration.”
Like many educators, Mrs. Shamy was inspired by a teacher who left a lasting impact on her own education. She credits her high school English teacher, Mr. Spenningston, as one of her biggest influences.
“He was just an amazing teacher,” she recalled. “He was the kind of teacher who made you want to learn.”
Despite her passion for teaching, the profession comes with challenges. Mrs. Shamy explained that maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be difficult, particularly when it comes to grading.
“I have about 125 students,” she said. “Every assignment has to be read carefully, and I want to provide meaningful feedback while also getting work back to students quickly.”
Balancing those responsibilities while protecting her own mental health is something she continues to prioritize.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Shamy enjoys cooking, trying new foods, reading, and spending time with friends. These activities help her recharge and maintain balance between work and personal life.
When asked what advice she would give students interested in English, she shared a philosophy that many of her students already know well.
“Read slowly and read like you’re looking at literature through a microscope rather than a magnifying glass,” she said. “My huge philosophy is that if you don’t like a book, put it down,” she said. “No one should be telling you what you should and shouldn’t read outside of class.”
