Ask Rachael Tawbush if she’d consider another career besides education, and she’ll quickly reply in the negative.

She came late to the profession, after walking away from a lucrative career in environmental science, but had she followed the recommendation of an aptitude test she took as a student, her professional life would likely have been considerably different.

“I find it quite comical that when I was in high school and took the career placement exam, I was ranked most likely to be a farmer,” the Pell City High School science teacher said.  “Being in education was not in my plans, but now that I’m here, I can’t imagine a more fulfilling position.”

Developing an appreciation for physics while in high school, she studied biology, environmental science and chemistry at the University of South Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but her interest in the subjects probably began before she realized it.

“My mom always tells me stories about how I used to dig in the yard to play with worms and bugs,” Tawbush said. “I guess the environmental science and biology degrees just reaffirmed my love of being outdoors and the beautiful nature that God has created.”

This month, she’ll begin her seventh year at Pell City High School, where she started the debate team, teaches genetics and chemistry and finds interacting with her students to be the best part of her day.

Why she left for the classroom:  “I enjoyed what I was doing, but I felt it wasn’t challenging enough. I couldn’t just be a professional in my trade any longer.  I felt God’s calling that needed to be a teacher.  Teaching is a gift from God, but I also get it from my mom, who has been an amazing teacher for more than 20 years.”

The most rewarding part of her work:  “The kids, especially when they have that ‘aha’ moment and it just clicks.  I want to be there for them, to listen to them, encourage them, motivate them and love them.”

One of teaching’s biggest challenges:  “The job is taxing.  Before I started teaching, I’d hear my mom say that if you come home after a long day of work at school and collapse on the couch exhausted and feeling mentally, physically and emotionally spent, you did your job that day.  I understand that now.”

Her favorite part of the day: “Whenever my students are interactively learning.  I am not what you would call a ‘lecture-style’ teacher. I am more of a ‘story-teller style’ teacher and an inquisitive teacher.  I am continuously asking the students questions in order to assess their background knowledge on certain content and then asking them questions, which helps them to address their misconceptions, if any misconceptions are present.  Then I am asking them questions to make them solidify in their brain as to why they are correct or knowledgeable about that portion of content.”

Her least favorite part of the day: “When the bell rings and I see all of my students filing out the door.”

Her greatest fear: “The thing I fear most is the student that has not been reached.  I am always trying to find new ways to make the students feel secure, safe and confident in my classroom.  I also want them to feel loved and respected.  Who knows, my classroom may be one of the few places that the students receive positive support and encouragement.”

Her biggest pet peeve: “When students do not say ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir’ in order to show respect to their elders.  I make a big effort in my classroom to always be polite to my students and model the behavior for them that I am asking of them.  Therefore, all of my students know that everyday that they see me at school, they are respected when I call them ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am.’”

The greatest influence on her life:  “Lots and lots of people have made great impacts on my life.  However, I feel that my mom, dad and sister have always been a rock for me.  They have always been so loving, caring and wise.  I think one of the best lessons that my family has taught me is that God is good and that He will never leave us or forsake us.  I cannot express in words how powerful it is to be a part of a family that not only listens to your heart but will pray with you and for you everyday, just as I do for them.”

What makes her laugh: “As a scientist, I tend to have a very dry, quirky sense of humor.  I try to find the positive and joy in everything I do, and everywhere I go.  I also love my students and their sense of humor as well.  It is not uncommon for my students to get me laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my face. I have a poster in my classroom that says ‘A day without laughter is a day wasted,’ which is so true.”

How she describes herself:  “I’m a workaholic.  I work all the time.  I’m also a strong Christian.  Very few things are more important than education, but that’s one of them.”

If she could change one thing about the world:  “I would change the fact that not everyone on this planet has been introduced to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Her favorite indulgence:  “Chocolate.”

Something an acquaintance might be surprised to know about her: “I love to sing.  I have been singing ever since I was able to talk. I even sang in college choirs.  I usually do not sing too much in the classroom, but if you catch me in the early mornings or late afternoons preparing labs for the next day, you may just catch me singing a tune from the heart.”