Gibson Southern welcomed many new faces to the school this year, one of whom is Paige Rohrer. Moving to a new school can be extremely challenging, but luckily, Rohrer already had some connections to the high school. Paige Rohrer is married to Mark Rohrer, one of the guidance counselors and the head basketball coach at Gibson Southern High School. Paige Rohrer is also a new addition to the volleyball coaching staff. This will be both her 15th year teaching and coaching, so she is experienced in both aspects.
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Southerner: What are you looking forward to working in the same corporation as your husband?
Rohrer: “I am looking forward to attending school and community events together. Before, we would both go to our own respective school events, such as football games and musicals, but now we will get to go as a family to support the school system that our whole family is a part of.”
Southerner: What was the hardest part about leaving North Posey?
Rohrer: “Leaving all of the people that I had gotten to know over the past four years. I have worked with the volleyball girls since they were in junior high, so it is hard to leave them in their senior year. I also had a group of teachers that I had lunch with daily and got to know really well, so it’s hard not to get to see them every day like I was used to.”
Southerner: What was the hardest thing to adjust to moving from North Posey?
Rohrer: “It’s always hard to start over and not really know any of my students the first day of school. I am also teaching some different classes than what I typically do, so that has taken some adjusting.”
Southerner: What does your lunch look like on a typical school day?
Rohrer: “I bring lunch from home. Typically, Mr. Rohrer and I will bring the same thing. We make something that our kids don’t like to eat at home for dinner and bring it for lunch for the week instead.”
Southerner: Have AI or platforms like Photomath been a challenge for you while teaching math? How so?
Rohrer: “It hasn’t been too much of an issue in my classes. The way that I weight homework versus tests helps because students have to focus on understanding the material for assessments to pass, rather than being able to pass simply by completing homework.”
Southerner: What has been your greatest teaching accomplishment?
Rohrer: “When I was at Washington, the top 10% of each class was allowed to choose a positive educator to award who they felt made an impact on their education. The student would write and present a speech about that teacher and then present the award at a ceremony. I was fortunate enough to receive 4 of those during my time there. Knowing that I had a positive influence on their high school experience was really rewarding.”
Southerner: Do you use your weekend to rest/recharge, or do you live it up?
Rohrer: “Weekends are rarely restful. Typically, we are at our kids’ sporting events or use that time to visit with friends and family.”
Southerner: What is something that inspires you?
Rohrer: “I love watching people learn something new. Whether it’s a volleyball player who executed a new skill that we have been working on in practice or seeing a student get a problem correct that they had previously struggled with, those small successes are huge for me.”
Southerner: How do you spend your summers?
Rohrer: “I travel as much as possible in the summer. If I didn’t teach, I would probably try to be a travel agent because I really enjoy planning our trips. This summer, we took a trip to Costa Rica, and it was one of my all-time favorites. My kids were able to experience seeing all kinds of different animals, such as monkeys, sloths and toucans, and adventures such as surfing, hiking a volcano and swimming at the base of a waterfall. Our family vacation experiences are some of my favorite memories.”
Southerner: What is your favorite part about being a high school volleyball coach?
Rohrer: “I love getting to know my students outside of the classroom. Math isn’t always everyone’s favorite subject, so it’s enjoyable to interact with students doing something they enjoy as much as I do. It is also a lot of fun getting to be a part of a school sport and watching the community come together to support them, especially during tournament time.”
Southerner: Where did you get your education?
Rohrer: “I got my undergraduate degree at the University of Evansville, my master’s in mathematics at Ball State University and a master’s certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the American College of Education.”
Southerner: Do you have a favorite section to teach?
Rohrer: “Pre-Calculus has always been my favorite, although I am not teaching that class this year.”
Southerner: What do you like to do in your free time?Rhorer: “I enjoy going to sporting events and traveling. I also like to read, play board games and do pretty much any outdoor activities.”
