Amy Willard, 35, started as a paralegal. Now, she teaches 4th and 5th graders at St. Margaret’s Catholic School.

Born in Mamou, raised in Basile and now living in Iowa, Willard is Louisiana through and through. She graduated from Basile High School before attending McNeese State University to earn a degree in paralegal studies.

The teachers who impacted her life taught her to push forward to fulfill her potential.

“They were not going to let us just get by if we were capable of giving more,” she recalled. “It showed they really cared and gave us motivation to strive for more.”

So when Willard was pulled to a new life path, she pursued it. Five years into her career as a paralegal, while “juggling babies,” she realized she had more to give.

“I really enjoyed my job as a paralegal in the legal field.  I was pretty good at it, too.” she said. “As I grew and matured, having four children of my own, I realized how significant my purpose in life could be when molding my children and preparing them in life.”

She went back to McNeese and earned a bachelor’s in general studies and obtained a teaching certification through the Louisiana iTeach program – a teacher certification program. In 2020, she started teaching at St. Margaret’s.

Through the years, Willard has taught every 5th grade subject, but this year she is teaching 5th grade math and religion, as well as 4th and 5th grade social studies.

Becoming an educator is “the most rewarding thing” she has ever done, she said.

“I really feel like God called me to do this. I was perfectly happy as a paralegal, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should return to school to teach.”

The everyday reward is the regular “lightbulb moments” that her students experience. In the instances in which her students grasp a concept they are struggling with, they are endowed with confidence. These are the powerful instances in which a teacher can redirect a student’s path, she said.

“They can go from unmotivated to excited with just a simple praise or acknowledgment of someone noticing that they are smart, capable – and we believe in them.”

Willard and her peers follow the mission statement “nurturing all children and achieving academic success in the Spirit of Christ.” At St. Margaret’s, teachers instill values in students through virtues, and she adds to this by ensuring her students follow this mission statement: “Respecting others, working hard, and being positive in our thoughts, words, and actions.”

She balances fun and productivity with her students.

“I have had pushup contests and handstand contests with them for fun.  I do a back handspring for the class if they all get an A on a test.

“We cut up and have fun, but they definitely know there is a line between us and that I have expectations for them to meet at the same time.”

Willard believes that being a great educator comes with constant evolution.

“Always reflect on yourself to better your method of teaching, learn from your mistakes, and you will do great things for the generations to come.”