Decade-long educator, Senior class advisor Christopher Remaley, has made a major impact on hundreds of students, whether they are seniors or students he met in passing. Remaley, who has been teaching at Athens for over 15 years, has given insight and advice for anyone who asks and is willing to listen.
Everyone has their heroes or people who have inspired them to go into a specific field or down a certain career path.
“My high school math teacher, Mrs. Royal, got me on the idea of becoming a teacher, but it wasn’t till my sophomore year at State that I changed my major from Business to Math Education,” said Remaley.
Remaley is one of those teachers at Athens Drive who has their hand in so many pots, whether it be as the senior class advisor, a role helping the school administration or managing the scoreboard and announcing at athletic events.
“I learned quickly my first year that you need to get involved outside the classroom. Teaching is so much more than what happens in the classroom,” said Remaley.
Out of all the possible subjects or even electives to be chosen to expand education on, and help educate others, Remaley chose math, a subject many would run in the opposite direction from.
“I like to think I am pretty good at math, plus I was helping my other friends with their math classes, and along with my calling to be a teacher, I was also guided to be a math teacher,” said Remaley.
15 years quickly turns into 30, and 30 into 40 and so on. With Remaley in year 15, you can see that time flies when you love what you do.
“Athens was in fact my 5th job interview after Graduation from State, and it was the message from the Principal Walt Sherlin and the Math Dept Chair Kathy Hill who told me that I can make a living or I can make a difference, ‘which do you want to do?’ I knew then, this was the place for me! I love the people, first and foremost, here in Athens. I feel like we are like family and I feel at home here,” said Remaley.
Job motivation is indeed a necessity in the world, especially for teachers who often go underappreciated and underrespected.
“This is what I was called to do. I pray about it everyday and I am reminded this is my purpose,” said Remaley.
Like previously mentioned, Remaley is a flowing fountain of wisdom for anyone who is in need and is willing to listen.
“Find your why. What made you choose to be a teacher? Really search [for] that reason so that when the not-so-good times come (and they will), you can be reminded what matters most,” said Remaley.
While he may not be this year’s Teacher of the Year, you can’t dispute that Christopher Remaley has left his mark on Athens Drive.
