Judy Lee: giving her best every day

Students have probably seen Mrs. Judy Lee around West Florence; she is always happy to help a student with advice or information about a class. Lee is a science teacher here at WF, teaching a variety of different classes. Lee has been teaching for thirty-one years, with all but two of those years being here at West. She is one of the many teachers here at West having to adapt her class and instruction to COVID-19.

Many things have changed since Lee started teaching here at West Florence but some things never change such as Lee’s passion for teaching and helping guide her students to be the best they can be.

“Young people are so resilient and can rebound from adversity well, they just have to keep pressing forward and never give up on themselves, this will make them even stronger!”said Lee about the pandemic’s effect on students.

Lee believes the world will still be dealing with some form of COVID-19 five years from now, what form, though, she isn’t so sure. However, with students just starting to return to class full time, this year has been different to teach. From A/B days to now back to full in person class. According to Lee, what her students seem to struggle the most with online is dealing with procrastination

“It is a lot easier to put off work, then it just doesn’t get done,” she said. Lee is excited about students returning to the classroom as she is excited to teach a steady curriculum now and interact with her students more.

This year has had a lot of ups and downs for the students and staff; however one thing that has not changed is Lee’s love of teaching.

“I enjoy teaching my students and I really love what I teach so that keeps me teaching each year,” said Lee about why she still teaches.

She said what will stick with her most after this year is,“a sad memory, but losing two of our dear faculty members. That hits the staff, as well as those teachers’ students right in the heart.”

Mrs. Judy Lee is one of the many teachers at West dealing with the struggles of COVID and still trying her best to deliver each student the best education possible. This year has been filled with many uncertainties about what is next but Ms. Lee is certain about one thing when everything is over and life returns to normal.

“I think that there will be a greater appreciation for each other and what we have,” she said.