By Natalie Herr ’25
MVT, Most Valuable Teacher: this is the best term to describe Mrs. Casey Banh, a science teacher at Conestoga Valley High School. Banh teaches science for 9th grade, as well as forensics, and is known as the teacher with the “best shoe game.”
Working with adolescents has always been something Banh wanted to do in her career.
“I knew I wanted to work with people, especially the adolescent age,” Banh said. “I just think teenagers, you’re about to be an adult. And I wanted to be a part of that growth process.”
Working with adolescents is what brings Banh the passion she has for teaching.
“I try to motivate them by trying to encourage them to make a connection with something, or [find]something that they’ll enjoy, and incorporate that into my activities,” said Banh.
“For example, a week ago, to learn a concept [that was] kind of dry, I had them do competitions with each other. And they were running competitions, jumping competitions, and they were all about it, they loved it so much ….they were just having so much fun.”
Bahn also thinks it’s important for her students to make connections in her class. But believe it or not, teaching was not Banh’s first choice in careers.
Banh said: “I first wanted to be an athletic trainer, because I just saw the relationship the athletic trainer had with the athletes. But then I decided I wanted to be a teacher and hopefully have a positive influence on every student or most students.”
Banh loved the relationship between athletes and their trainers, and wanted to make sure she incorporated making relationships within her class.
“I think [the important thing is] building relationships with students, helping them realize what they enjoy, what they like, their strengths. Even their weaknesses, to work on their weaknesses, and not just [give] up and [leave] it at that.” Banh noted. “Just telling them that they… have a potential.”
Building relationships helps to not have such a large barrier between teacher and student. It’s a reminder that they are both people, no matter their title.
“I guess my goal is to make connections with students,” Banh explained, “And on any level, like it could be something that I may not have anything in common with a student, but I still want to ask them about what they’re into and how they’re doing with it.”
Being optimistic and having a positive attitude are things Banh uses to keep the class healthy, along with her personal life.
“It might not be them making a connection, every single one, but at least you got one that you’re going to remember,” said Banh. “Also, [it’s important to] be okay when a student doesn’t like you. You have to want kids to like you. Otherwise, why did you become a teacher? Right?”
“It’s okay to acknowledge that you don’t know something,” Banh added. “It’s okay to just say to students, ‘You know, I don’t know, let me look that up’.”
Banh loves her students, as well as the job she has. The impact she has on her students and coworkers is something she wants to be positive.
“I want to be remembered as the teacher who cared,” Banh described. “And I know that’s so broad, but [I try to] care for my students, and try to help them be the best person they can be. And be involved with the school other than just in my classroom.”
Not only in the classroom, but anywhere in her life Banh has a passion for making connections,, not only for herself, but also to help others to be the best that they can be.