Learning More About a Golden Apple Finalist at Solorio Academy High School

Ms. Elise Scarbeary comes from a family of educators, so she sees teaching as an important part of who she is. She has been at Solorio Academy High School for 12 years now, teaching a variety of different courses in its social science department. She also serves as an instructional coach in addition to being a teacher. 

She explains that she keeps coming back to Solorio year after year because it feels like a family. It is a school with a very strong sense of community. Ms. Scarbeary also believes that her colleagues are always very innovative and push each other to be their best selves. 

She was recently recognized as a Golden Apple Finalist for Excellence in Teaching, a testament to how her many years at Solorio have helped her become an exceptional educator. Get to know her more below.

What words would your students use to describe you? 

I have a lot of energy in the classroom. Some of my students might even describe it as too much energy at 8:00 a.m. I think they also see me as caring. As a teacher, I push students outside of their comfort zone, so they feel challenged and see themselves as capable of doing things they didn’t think they could do, while being very supportive at the same time. 

What was your reaction to being named a Golden Apple finalist? 

I find it very humbling. I work at a school that has very strong teachers, and I feel really supported by my school community. It’s an honor to be acknowledged, and I’m so grateful for that. 

What are some of your goals for the rest of the school year? 

We’re at the point in the year where one of my top goals is to help all of my students stay motivated and feel supported. One class I teach is AP Human Geography, mostly to freshmen, and their AP exam is May 6, so I’m trying to keep them moving forward in preparation for that. At the end of the school year, I want all of my students to be able to see their growth and use it to remind them that they can push themselves to do great things.

What advice would you give to a teacher who is just starting out? 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and use the support systems that you have around you. It’s also important to find ways to grow in your role and not settle. There are always new ways that we can meet our students where they are, and it’s up to us to be adaptable and responsive to them. 

What is your message to your students for the rest of the year? 

I’m really proud of all the hard work that they’ve put in so far this year. I’ve seen so much growth in them, and I’m excited to see my students continuing to apply the things we’ve worked on together as they keep growing as learners and as people.