When a student graduates high school, the career options ahead of them are endless. While some may have a tough time deciding which path to take, Carly Orr’s decision to become an educator was an easy one.
“Both of my parents are teachers and are definitely some of my biggest inspirations,” she said. “I also felt God calling me to become a teacher from a young age. As a fourth grader I wore my mom’s clothes to school for career day and told everyone I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I’m so grateful for my educator parents who have encouraged and supported me every step of the way to becoming a teacher.”
Orr teaches Wildcat Way and Oklahoma History to freshmen at Ponca City High School. She is also an assistant coach for the Wildcat volleyball and tennis teams.
“I started teaching last year at POHI after graduating from Southwestern Christian University with my Bachelors Degree in History Education in May of 2023,” she stated. “This will be my second-year teaching and my third-year coaching volleyball and tennis for Ponca City.
While being an educator can have its rough times, there are also rewarding moments. And Orr says that is what she loves most about being a teacher.
“I enjoy the relationships with my students and getting to watch them achieve their goals,” Carly said. “Seeing students of mine succeeding in any area of their life is so heartwarming and fulfilling.”
As a young teacher, Orr is thankful to have experienced teachers in her life that are willing to invest into her life and help her grow as a teacher.
“My mom told me many times last year when I was struggling with feeling like an inadequate teacher that the fact that I was worried about being a good teacher for my students meant that I already was one,” she said. “I have also received countless words of encouragement from my mentor teacher last year Mr. McCrary, he is a wonderful teacher and friend that I look up to and go to for teaching advice all the time.”
This past November, Carly married her high school sweetheart, Colton. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with him, fishing, and reading.
