Respect is important to Tiffany Moseley.

“I think as a society we are losing what it means to be respectful,” the Pell City resident said.  “Showing respect for others, religion, education, and even ourselves has been taking a major downward slide.  I would like to see people become more respectful of themselves, others and all parts of life.”

She believes there would be plenty of benefits should that happen.

“It would mean fewer unnecessary deaths from disagreements, higher test scores in schools, cleaner communities, and possibly even lower insurance rates.  I just think overall, if we as a society have and show more respect in general, our world might start to become a better place to be, and we would greatly benefit just from treating others like we would like to be treated.”

A native of Georgia who moved to St. Clair County eight years ago shortly after her best friend from college relocated to Riverside, Moseley teaches physical education at Moody Junior High School and coaches Moody High’s tennis and archery teams.

She recently discussed the archery team’s success in last week’s state championships, identified her biggest annoyance, and described her decorating style.

About Moody High’s archery team:  This was the first year the Blue Devils competed in the National Archery in Schools program.  The team qualified to compete in the national competition next month in Kentucky.  “I think they shocked themselves, they did so well,” Moseley said.  “That was fun to see.”

As compared to other prep athletics programs, does archery qualify as a sport?  “It’s in the Olympics.  We’ve got a student in a wheelchair who can’t play football or basketball or baseball, but he can shoot a bow.  Tell him it’s not a sport.”

The best advice she ever received:  “Do your best, and everything will work out for you.”

Her biggest pet peeve: “Drivers who pull out in front of me when I am going at a steady speed, there is no one behind me, and they make me slam on my brakes. Would five more seconds kill them?”

Something an acquaintance might be surprised to know about her:  “I’ve played piano since I was seven.  My mom wouldn’t let me quit.  I play mostly classical and movie themes like ‘Twilight’ and ‘Braveheart.’  I love those.”

Her favorite guilty pleasure:  “Blue Bell Cookies and Cream Ice Cream.  Or chocolate.”

The one item she’s never without: “Lip gloss.  I have about 25 colors.  They are in my purse, car, pocket, and nightstand.

Her greatest fear: “Losing someone I love.”

In her leisure time:  She enjoys traveling – she’s currently planning her first trip to Mexico — and spending time with her family.  “I’ve been spending a lot of time on my dad’s farm now that he’s retired.  I spent all spring break putting up fences.”

Her favorite travel destination:  “The beach.  I like the gulf where the sand is white.”

Her dream destination:  “Australia would be cool.  See some kangaroos, maybe hit Sydney.  I’d love to catch a symphony in the opera house.  That would be awesome.”

If she were stranded on a desert island with one magazine, CD, and meal:  “The magazine would be Better Homes and Garden.  I love to decorate.  I’m working on my boyfriend’s house now because I got bored with mine.  The CD would be some old-school George Strait, and the meal would be boiled okra, mashed potatoes, and meat loaf.”

Her decorating style:  “I like vintage pastels.  My house looks like an Easter egg.  I have a pink living room, a green kitchen, and a baby blue dining room.  I also collect plates, which I decorate with.  They’re also functional, and if you know where to shop, not too expensive.  Although I can’t say that about the one I bought at Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue (in Manhattan) a couple of years ago.  It’s pretty special.”

Her favorite food:  “Right now I’m in a Chinese phase.  I can’t get enough chicken broccoli.”

Her least favorite food:  “I’m not real fond of collard greens.  Or unsweet tea.  That’s just wrong.”