There can be many reasons that someone enjoys their career. It could be the income that they make or the products that they create. Paula White is a teacher at Ponca City High School and she says that her favorite part about her job is impacting the lives of her students.
“I get to show students that they matter in life and that they can do anything they set their minds to,” White said. “Hopefully, I am able to provide a positive experience in learning math.”
Paula teaches ninth through twelfth grade PreAP Algebra II, Honors Precalculus, and Honors Trigonometry. She has taught at her school for 26 years. Before teaching there, she was an educator at Hugo High School, Ponca City West Junior High School, and Ponca City East Junior High School. She is also the mother of two boys, Caleb and Joshua. They are both married, Caleb’s wife is Rachel and Joshua’s wife is Mallory.
As a student, White learned from a number of different teachers over the years. But as she looks back, she has one that made the biggest impact on her.
“My high school math teacher, Queta Henderson, was my favorite teacher,” she said. “She made me feel like I mattered and made learning math an enjoyable experience.”
During her time as a teacher, Paula has received pieces of advice. She says that there is one that sticks with her each day and helps her be a better teacher.
“The best advice I have ever received is to treat the students with the respect that I expect them to give to me.”
When she is not in the classroom teaching or preparing her lesson plans, White has other ways that she enjoys to spend her time.
“I also enjoy cross stitch, sewing, reading, and playing the piano.”
