Teacher Spotlight – Samantha Gang

This year is Ms. Gang’s 3rd year teaching theater at Lively Middle School. She’s a teacher beloved by so many people, in and out of the theater program, and she puts so much effort and time into the theater program. All of these are reasons why we, the newspaper staff, thought she deserves a spotlight.

In speaking with some students and staff about Ms Gang, there were overwhelmingly positive responses.   “She’s a good teacher and makes everyone feel included and important. She makes theater such a great community and everyone in there is so supportive,” said 8th grader Izzy Reed.  “She is an excellent teacher who knows how to do every aspect of her job with flawless accuracy,” said Mr. Addington, 8th grade ELA teacher.

I had the chance to interview Ms. Gang herself to learn more about this amazing teacher. 

How long have you been teaching and how many years have you been at Lively?
This is my third year teaching and my third year at Lively, so this is the only school I’ve ever taught at.

What made you become a teacher?
I really loved getting to direct shows in my Directing 1 class at Texas state and I had some really inspiring professors as well.

What subject do you teach and why do you teach it?
I am the theater director here and I decided to teach theater because I had some really inspiring professors at Texas State University. I fell in love with directing in my Directing 1 class there, and I realized that working with kids in productions was something not only fulfilling for me, but just watching them fulfill their dreams and get to work together as a team it’s kind of an unmatchable feeling. I also have been inspired by a lot of educators throughout my life. One of my first tattoos was inspired by an educator that I had, she said something to me and I had it tattooed cause I always think about it. It inspires me as well as my mom who’s a teacher and watching her work so hard and impact so many people growing up really inspired me to do the same.

What do you love about Lively?
I feel like every year I’ve seen different amazing things about Lively and this year I just feel like some things are somehow even more amazing and more special. I love seeing the community of students and getting to look at all the different leaders across the campus that I can be inspired by and learn from.I also love being able to grow as an educator, and as a person every day surrounded by all these amazing people both students and staff, so just the ability for everyone to grow.

Do you sponsor any clubs, teams or special groups here at Lively?
I run all the theater productions so it’s not specifically a club but I do work a lot after school and outside of school on competition pieces and the musical. After school rehearsals are pretty much every day towards competition season which is actually right now in the fall. Then in the second semester we do a lot after school and outside of school like on the weekends forour musical production.

How do you show school spirit?
I love school spirit. I love dressing up for spirit days, and Ilove getting to fall in love with Lively and everything that it’s about. I think Lively offers so many different opportunities for everyone, there are just so many things you can try so I really try to embrace that. I tell the students to try everything cause as you get older everyone starts to hone in and focus in towards like two to three skill sets instead of getting to try everything. So, at Lively, I think having those opportunities is a great way to show school spirit as well as trying to go to the pep rallies and get everyone motivated and just cheer on our amazing teams and yeah I just try to embrace the Lively falcon creed and try to be the best person I can be and set a good example for the students.

What’s the best part about being a teacher?
I think the best thing about being a teacher is kind of like the domino effect. I know that when I impact one student I know that it can impact many students and so just knowing that there’s this huge chain of greatness that can ripple through our community and beyond.

If you could enroll in another teacher’s class, what class would you choose?
Oh my gosh there’s so many, that’s such a good question. Okay, I’d wanna be in one of Ms. Twinings’ classes cause I think she’s an incredible teacher and I just wanna see how she runs her class, as well as all the class teaching techniques she uses. I’d also wanna be in Ms. Everett’s class because I just see her students thriving and doing so many fun projects, and I feel like it would be so much fun. Lastly, I would like to be in Ms. Hevelka’s dance class because I love dance and fine arts. I… gosh there’s just so many… I’d honestly take a class from every teacher here at Lively because there’s just so many things good about all the classes, and just seeing the way that they persevere and work their hardest to be their best version of themselves. I’m so proud and honored to be y’all’s teacher, and I’m inspired daily to be the best version of myself for you.

What song should a student listen to while doing work for your class?
Right now I can’t stop listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s new album so just anything by Sabrina Carpenter.

What are your hopes for this year?
Back during back to school night I had parents answer a question for me. I did a post it wall question and I asked them what life skills they want their students to learn in theater, this year and about ninety percent of the answers were “I want my student to learn to be confident in themself,” and so I really want my students to leave my class with skills beyond theater which will help them in all aspects of life and will help them feel confident in who they are and their abilities to accomplish things and grow.”

If you could see any play for free what would you see?

I would see Once On This Island cause it really changed my perspective on what musical theater could be. Before that I knew there were dramatic musicals but I didn’t realize how much that they could impact me. The first time I saw a video of it it was just a clip. I got emotional from that and I knew I had to see this production.

Who’s your favorite actor?
I love Reese Witherspoon because I think that not only is she an amazing performer but I love what she stands for. I think she is an amazing person. She’s a great influence and the way that she carries herself in and out of her performances is something that I aspire to do myself.

What’s your favorite movie genre?
My favorite movie genre is probably romcoms. I know they’re silly, they’re stupid but I just like laughing. I feel like I can do some pretty heavy stuff, deal with some pretty heavy work. If you ask my students they know I love directing dramas so I think when it comes to watching movies I just like to laugh and relax and watch a good romcom.

What’s your favorite musical soundtrack?
I think that, because I was just so impressed by the students last years production, I think, besides Once On This Island, my favorite musical soundtrack is Anastasia because it brings back a lot of great memories it’s a beautiful work a beautiful production that tells a great story that says there are people who care about you and will stand by you when you need them even during hard times.