Welcome, Mrs. Penny Garr!
Meet Mrs. Penny Garr: Middle School English, Grammar, Literature, and 7th Grade Bible
We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Penny Garr and her family to the Sussex Christian School community! Mrs. Garr has an impressive background in teaching English, Grammar, and Literature at both the middle school and high school levels. Most recently, she taught 17 years in Harmony Christian School. We asked Mrs. Garr some questions to get to know her better and introduce her to our community!
Tell us about your past teaching experience.
I taught for a few years in Monmouth County, NJ before my children were born. When I moved to Staten Island, NY, I went back to get my Masters Degree. I taught middle school for 6 years in the city. When we moved up here, I taught 4th and 5th grade at Goshen Christian under John DeVries. I then moved on to Harmony Christian School. I started out in middle school, but soon moved on to high school. I was the High School English teacher, Senior Advisor, High School Supervisor and Guidance for the past 17 years.
What brought you to SCS?
My daughter and her family live in Highland Lakes. I had been following your social media posts, which I love, for some time. When you posted an opening, I took the opportunity to apply.
What is your favorite thing about teaching middle school?
I have always loved middle school. Yes, I know, that’s a bit unusual! However, just the fact that you never know who will be in your class from one day to the next is a challenge. These students are trying out a whole variety of personas. If I can make middle school easier for any of them, it’s worth it!
What about Christian education excites and energizes you the most?
I love that I can share my faith, but more importantly, I can encourage my students to have their own relationship with Christ, to trust Him and to lean on Him.
Tell us about your testimony.
I come from a rather disjointed background. My oldest sister is 17 years older and when she accepted Christ, she was eager to share her beliefs with me. As a child, I leaned on her faith, until, as a teenager, I developed my own relationship.
Tell us about your family.
I have 3 grown children, Faith, Daniel and Scott. Faith and Andy have 4 children-Colleen, Jilly, Leanne, and Zachary. Daniel and Nadia have one son, Aidan, who is eight and on the spectrum. He is our joy. Scott and Desiree have one daughter. Emily, who is ten. You can see their pictures in my classroom as that was the first thing I put up! I have one cat (currently) who lives in the house. Her name is Quizzy, however the Crazy Cat Lady toys in my classroom are an homage to the many feral cats we feed and take care of.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to read. I guess that a given if you are an English teacher, but I also love history and read and watch whatever I can find. I garden a bit and sew a little. I like to cook for the whole family, or friends, but I haven’t yet mastered cooking for just two. Therefore, the cats eat really well!
Share a fun fact about yourself.
I took modern dance for years when I was younger. I love to sing and dance and I truly believe being serious is overrated. I am a big fan of silly.
Favorite color?
Red.
Favorite snack?
Anything sweet! There is no such thing as “too sweet”.
Favorite season?
Autumn, definitely!
Favorite book?
I love Maeve Binchy as an author, or Frank or Malachy McCourt. I especially loved Angela’s Ashes and Teacher Man.
Favorite movie?
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Favorite ice cream flavor?
This is hard. As I said, anything sweet. I’m going to have to go with Cookies and Cream.
Favorite vacation spot?
Alaska. It was not like anything I had ever seen.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
I have always believed that middle school is so much like being a tall, smart, toddler. They need to move and they need be challenged. I am really looking forward to this next chapter. If they come home and tell you they did something really ridiculous in class, they probably did!
