The bell buzzes as she walks through these hallways like she’s done a million times before. The back to school season happens every year, and it feels nice to be back in the familiar environment of high school. She walks up the stairs and heads to her first period class like she’s done in the past. There is one major difference though – this time, she’s back as a teacher.

     Christina Gatti is one of two new teachers on campus who is a Rouse alumni. Gatti graduated from Rouse in 2013 and is now back for her first year teaching freshman English.

     I thought that being on the ‘other side’ of the desk would be an easy transition,” Gatti said. “It’s strange, though. I call the men and women who taught me by their first names, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.”

     Gatti said being a teacher allowed her to fulfill her dream of sneaking around the faculty lounge, although the fun is now gone because she no longer has to sneak around. Her favorite part about being a teacher is developing relationships with the students.

     “It’s definitely the best part of my job,” Gatti said. “I love getting to hear student’s stories, supporting them at games, watching them grow and learn in the classroom and making them laugh, even when laughing is difficult. I’m here for the students, and I never want to forget that.”

     English Department Head Amanda Thompson is confident that Gatti has what it takes to be a great teacher. She has known Gatti since she was a teenager and believes there isn’t a more qualified person for the job.

    “You can’t teach that kind of passion and caring,” Thompson said. “You can’t learn how to do that. It’s innately there or not – and with her, it was just there.”

     Thompson said having a former student teach next door is different, but she is excited because she knows Gatti was cut out to be a teacher. Natasha Thomas, another teacher who  graduated from Rouse, said teaching has always been the right career for her, too.

     “Being a teacher was the ideal job for me,” Thomas said. “I wanted to be a math teacher when I was a kid, and my parents always knew I would somehow find my way there.”

     Thomas hopes to teach many subjects throughout her teaching career, but she especially enjoys art and Special Education. She said being a teacher helped her understand just how hard her teachers worked to make sure students got the best education they could.

     “My favorite part about my job is being the teacher students want to go and talk to about anything,” Thomas said. “It’s a great feeling when students are excited to come to my class. I’m honored to be here as a teacher and love this opportunity for growth, not just for myself, but for my students, as well.”