By Katie Ngo
There is no one who exemplifies the spirit of Baron pride more than Amelia Fee. Being a former student at Fountain Valley High School (FVHS), substituting for various teachers on campus and her position as a student teacher under history teacher Kelly Ducat, Fee embodies the “Baron 4 Life” attitude.
“I’ve subbed in all the schools in the district. This one is like the Disneyland of school,” Fee said.
Fee first discovered her spark of interest in teaching in her high school history class with Ducat. While she initially didn’t think she wanted to be a teacher, she realized that it was a career path where she could get paid to have fun talking about the subjects she loves. She is particularly fascinated by women’s history and how women lived their lives through the times.
Fee pursued her love for history and education at California State University, Fullerton. There, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Japanese and is currently in the process of attaining her teaching credentials. She later returned to FVHS as a substitute teacher and student teacher with the hopes of a job down the line.
“My dream is to work at Fountain Valley High School,” Fee said.
For Fee, teaching became an avenue where she could both escape the fear of working 40 years in a cubicle while staying active and helping the future generations. She especially enjoys lecturing, allowing herself to delight in talking about interesting topics while helping students form new connections.
Even with her passion for teaching and the energy she brings to the classroom, Fee has faced her own fair share of challenges on her journey.
“My first day of subbing, I had no idea what I was doing. And I’m sure I made mistakes. [You have to acknowledge] that you made a mistake and then [think] about how you can improve it and go on from it next time,” Fee said.
Above all, Fee encourages earnest attempts and growing from failures over inaction. The advice she gives out the most is to be kind to yourself while learning new things.
“If you have an interest in something or if you’re curious about something, just try it out,” Fee said. “Nothing good comes easy, and you’re gonna grow so much.”
