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Community Corner

Meet a Teacher: Betsey Desfosse

Betsey teaches Health at Andover High School.

Meet a Teacher is a new column that features a teacher that teaches right here in Andover. Today we're featuring Betsey Desfosse, a teacher at Andover High School. 

Where do you teach and how long have you taught there?

My name is Betsey Desfosse and I have taught Health, predominantly to freshmen, at for the past 19 years. 

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Briefly describe your education and past experience. 

I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Springfield College in Health Education and went on to get my Master’s in Health Education from Worcester State College

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What is the best part about teaching in Andover?

Andover High was my first job after college so I have no other teaching experience except for the stint I did teaching summer school to students who had all failed health.  After that summer I felt like I could handle anything!

The best part of teaching is that I don’t ever have to say I am going to work.  I just go to school and it doesn’t feel like work!  I am very lucky to have a job I love.

Are there any certain teaching strategies or procedures you like to employ in the classroom?

I use many teaching strategies thoughout my day.  Health is an unleveled class and I have to make sure that everyone is challenged.  The great thing about health is that the vast majority of students really love the class. It teaches life skills and information they can relate to and use so I find it easy to engage students and keep them interested.  We discuss some pretty heavy topics and I am continually impressed with how serious and mature the freshmen are when they need to be. They can be pretty goofy too – especially when we are doing roleplays!

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I knew when I was a freshman in high school that I wanted to be a teacher.  It just clicked for me one day while I was teaching Sunday School.  I went through every subject in my head and couldn’t think of one more interesting than health.  I liked the fact that it is ever changing. Everyone always told me I would change my mind and my major in college many times but I just never did.  It just seems natural to me and I am blessed to say I truly love the work I do and feel appreciated by my students, parents and colleagues for my efforts.

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Do you know any Andover teachers deserving of recognition? If so, send an email to jay@jayoza.org.

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