A Teacher Who Inspires

October 27, 2026 - Jalina Gonzalez (9)

Have you ever had a teacher you can relate to or who has inspired you? That one teacher where everyone seems to know who they are and makes time out of their day to talk to them? A teacher where you walk into their classroom and feel welcomed, eager to learn, and leave feeling better than you did when you walked in? I would like to introduce you to Ms. McDuffie, who was recently the Hough Student-Selected Staff Star of the Week! I had the opportunity to interview Ms. McDuffie to learn more about her experience at Hough and her life outside of school.

Headliner (H): How many years have you been teaching?

Ms. McDuffie (McD): “I have been teaching for 12 years.”

H: How many years have you been teaching at Hough?

McD: “I have been at Hough for 2 years.”

H: What other grade levels and subjects have you taught before?

McD: “I have taught 4th and 5th grade social studies, math, science, and ELA. I have also taught Freshman Writing at North Carolina A&T State University. I have taught African American Literature, AP English Literature, English I, II, III, & IV.”

H: Why did you want to become a teacher?

McD: “I wanted to become a teacher because of my first grade teacher, Ms. Onedeer White. It was so amazing and empowering for me to see this intelligent, beautiful, fun, creative Black woman as my teacher, and I wanted to be like her. I also appreciated the way she challenged me and kept it real with me even as a first grader. I will always remember her and cherish every lesson that she taught me in and out of the classroom.”

H: Why did you decide to teach English?

McD: “I love to read and write! I also appreciate that English allows a lot of room for interpretation. There is not a clear answer like in Math. Many people can read one text and interpret multiple meanings. I like that there are shades of grey in English, which, in my opinion, makes it accessible to everyone.”

H: What do you enjoy most about teaching at Hough?

McD: “I enjoy my students. The ones I teach and the ones I do not teach. I appreciate getting to know who they are as a person and building relationships with them.”

H: What are your hobbies and interests?

McD: “I crochet, Cricut design, reading, writing. I love to plan parties, gatherings and small events. I also enjoy creating and editing content. I am also a makeup artist, and I love all things beauty, makeup, hair, and fashion.”

H: What is something you would like to share about yourself that most people don’t know?

McD: “I don’t know; I don’t have many secrets. People may not know that I am a leader and desire to come out of the classroom as a teacher (very soon). I want to be a teacher, coach, or a dean. One day I also want to open my own high school that is a vocational and technical high school, with a twist. I want to challenge and change the educational system that has been in place for over 100 years. Students would be able to graduate with a certificate in their chosen field and a high school diploma.”

H: What advice would you give someone who has an interest in becoming a teacher?

McD: “I would tell them that teaching is really a ministry and a work of heart. I like to say that I am called by God, but I work in the classroom. Teaching is something that I am called to. If you want to become a teacher, I believe it has to be taken seriously.”

1. You will never finish everything

2. You do not need a Pinterest-perfect classroom

3. You need boundaries

4. You need a like outside of education

5. Some problems are not yours to solve

6. Being a teacher does not mean you have to stop being a person

7. Students won’t remember every lesson, but they will remember how you made them feel

8. Your teaching style will change and evolve

9. Find your people in and out of the building

10. You are MORE than a teacher

 Ms. McDuffie is a kind, caring, and creative person who makes everyone, whether they are a student of hers or not, feel welcomed and supported. No matter how busy her day is, she always takes the time to give advice and share meaningful messages. I hope this interview helped you learn more about Ms. McDuffie and inspires you to follow your dreams and passions.