Deborah Reed is a Villa Maria Academy graduate and an English teacher.

”I also work at the Boys and Girls club [as a] tutor,” Deborah Reed said.

Reed graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 1994. Because she attended Catholic schools her whole life, attending a Catholic high school was the next step in her academic career.

”My aunt [and] sister attended Villa, [and] my parents encouraged me to attend [Villa] too,” Reed said.

During her time at Villa, Reed made many friends, participated in many school activities, and made many memories with her classmates.

”[I enjoyed] the traditions that we celebrated, i.e. ring ceremony, sports day, big sisters, etc.,” Reed said.

She and her friends spent a lot of time together, often spending nights at one another’s house before Sports Day, winter dances, and prom. She and her friends also had to deal with her sister’s shenanigans.

”[One time], my sister kidnapped the biology teacher’s fishes and put them in a Styrofoam cup in my locker,” Reed said. “The fish were in there all weekend [and] unfortunately did not survive. I had no idea they were [in] there.”

Despite the many unexpected experiences high school offered her, Reed learned many invaluable life lessons.

”I learned mostly about friendship and a sisterhood that I have found many of my friends did not experience in the way I did,” Reed said.

Leaving Villa was difficult for Reed, especially when she had to say goodbye to her friends.

”[At the time], we did not have cell phones [and] the internet was just starting out,” she said. “Many of us didn’t have private emails. [Despite losing contact with friends], I am so glad for the opportunities [that gave me] to catch up and renew friendships.”

English and history were two of her favorite subjects in high school. This, along with “[a] wonderful education in research and writing,” contributed to her decision to pursue a career in teaching.

”[Because I was interested in doing something with history and literature], it naturally followed that I would take those [subjects] into teaching,” Reed said.

As a teacher, she enjoys working with students and preparing them for the future.

”I have always enjoyed imparting knowledge and sharing my joy of reading and history,” she said. “I [also] enjoy helping [students] to be better young adult[s].”

Although teaching allows her to positively impact students, it has its own unfavorable aspects.

”The politics involved in education and the micromanaging [are my] least favorite parts of [teaching],” Reed said.

After high school, Reed experienced many life-changing events, including the birth of her children.

”[My children] make me want to be a better person,” she said. “They have shown me [that there’s] beauty in the world [which I tend to] overlook when keeping up with adulthood.” [Parenthood reminds me to remember] the smaller, simpler, happier things [in life].”

Reed describes herself as a talkative, caring, thankful, and forgiving person.

”I try not to hold people’s pasts against them [and try to understand them as they are],” Reed said. “I try to find one thing [in] every day to [be thankful for].”

In her free time, Reed enjoys traveling, reading, drawing, and spending time with her family.

”I enjoy going to zoos and museums, attending plays and musicals, [and] watching videos with my kids,” she said.

High school has been a major influence in her life and has contributed to her success as a teacher and parent. It introduced her to new people, taught her important life lessons, and left her with lasting memories.

”Your high school experience is what you put into it,” Reed said. “The more involved you get, the more friends you make, the more school spirit you have, [and] the more you walk away with.”