Ms. Stacy Gerst has been a teacher for 9 years.  She attended Hammonton High School and graduated in 2000, and later went to Harding University in Arkansas and has completed half of her master’s degree at TCNJ.  She taught at Hillsborough High School in Somerset County for 5 years, but took some time off when she had her daughter, Anna Jane.  In her fourth year at Hammonton High School.  Here, she teaches English and journalism and is also the head of the Yearbook Club.  Recently, I held an interview with Ms. Gerst in an effort to learn a bit more about her.

I am…a working mother trying to make a difference in education.

I like teaching because…kids are hilarious.  Some of the things they say I couldn’t even make up.

If I was not a teacher, I would be…a nurse. I’ve been to Haiti twice to do mission work with nurses, and I wanted to do what they did. No one needed to learn vocabulary words there; they needed help to survive.

My biggest fear is…if something were to happen to my kids.  Also, not knowing what I’m doing. I hate feeling stupid.

My favorite thing to do one the weekends is…shopping for clothes and the house. It’s especially fun when I have a gift card because then I don’t feel bad about spending money.

One thing most people do not know about me is…I had cosmetic surgery when I was 9 on my ears because they stuck out so far. I was often called “Dumbo” in elementary school. Isn’t that terrible?

My biggest pet peeve is…when people are mean and judgmental.

My real life hero is…my mother.  She’s one of the most generous people I know, and she’s wonderful with my kids.

My celebrity crush is…Justin Timberlake. About 5 years ago, I wanted to see him in concert and nobody my age wanted to go with me. I ended up going with a family friend that was still in high school at the time.

My favorite television series is…Lost.  My husband and I started watching it on Netflix two years ago. We were so hooked we’d watch 4-5 episodes every night and not go to bed until like 2 in the morning. I’d be exhausted the next day and would have to apologize to my students. It was so addicting!

If I could have one superpower, it would be…to read people’s minds because sometimes some people (students mostly) baffle me. I have no idea what’s running through their heads when they make decisions..