This month, we are excited to showcase Ms. Shaffer, a loving Health I teacher at C. Milton Wright High School. An amazing member of the CMW staff for twenty-nine years, Ms. Shaffer only currently teaches Health I. Her passion is helping students understand that health isn’t just a class…it’s the foundation for the life they build. She wants them to leave with real, usable tools to care for themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. She says if they can take even a piece of that with them and use it for the rest of their lives, then she’s done her job.
Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Shaffer was the women’s varsity soccer coach at Frostburg State University and taught a soccer skills course for Health and PE teachers. She then spent some time working as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Eventually, she interviewed with Harford County Public Schools, was hired by C. Milton Wright (her alma mater), and knew immediately she was exactly where she was meant to be. CMW has had her ever since…whether they planned on it or not! Therefore, her journey into education began.
Her favorite class to teach is obviously Health I. But over the years, she’s had the opportunity to teach everything from Weight Training, Exerobics, 10-12 PE, 9th Grade PE, and Wellness Walking to Advanced Health (Health II)…and one year, those poor kids, FOT. Let’s just say… She’s covered a few miles in these hallways.
Outside of school, Ms. Shaffer can swap her teacher’s clothes for overalls and a cowboy hat in no time flat. She has a small farm filled with critters that keep life interesting! When she’s not gardening or tending to them, you’ll likely find her in the gym lifting or swimming laps, or outside walking, hiking and biking (since her ortho told her “No more running”). And of course, spending time with her husband is her favorite way to recharge. With her kids all grown, she treasures every opportunity she gets to see them as well! She doesn’t indulge often…but when she does, she goes all in. “Dirt” from Broom’s Bloom Dairy is hands down her best ice cream ever! No contest.
Ms. Shaffer’s inspirational line to say to her students and live by is “Strive every day to be just a little better than you were yesterday. Progress, not perfection.”
Ms. Shaffer is a terrific example of what it means to be both a dedicated teacher and a person who inspires others to grow. We’re lucky to have her at C. Milton Wright! Go Mustangs!
