New Teachers

Mr. Daniel Perez

Spanish 2

Hobbies: I enjoy watching vlogs about other cultures or reading on my own time. I travel whenever possible.
When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: I realized after graduating that being a teacher was really natural to me. I wanted to travel and learn more using the languages I had acquired, and eventually found myself in Memphis.
What did you do before you became a teacher?: I was a student.
What do you like most about teaching your subject?: Language. To learn a language is extremely time-consuming, but definitely one of the most rewarding things a person can do. I feel it is a subject area that i can monitor over time which allows me to really have a sense of a student’s progression.

Mrs. Alberta Coats

English 1

Hobbies: Reading, writing books, and spending time with my children and husband

What did you do before you became a teacher?: I was a supervisor at Lenny’s.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: I was in second grade and it was between being a teacher or a nurse. Teaching won.

What do you like most about teaching your subject?I love writing and reading. Literature that makes you think!

Mr. Darius James

Biology

Hobbies: Reading, playing the guitar, playing with my son, and going out with my wife

What would be the title of your autobiography?: Believe the Best, Hope the Best, and Expect the Best

What did you do before you became a teacher?: Before I was a teacher, I was a full-time online graduate student, a full-time college pastor in Atlanta, GA, and a stay-at-home dad.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: I decided to become a teacher after working at a summer program as a summer science teacher for high school students at LeMoyne-Owens College. I wanted o make a difference in the lives of youth, and I believe teachers have an opportunity to do this every single day!

What is something the White Station student body should know about you?: I am married with a very active one-year-old. I love to play the acoustic guitar, to travel, and to visit museums. I am a very social person and a graduate student at the University of Memphis.

Mr. Ben Rollins

Algebra I

Hobbies: Hanging with my family, running, and cycling

What would be the title of your autobiography?: The Optimistic Approach by Ben Robbins

What did you do before you became a teacher?: Before I was a teacher, I lived in Cleveland, OH and worked as an indoor climbing instructor and also had a part-time job at J. Crew.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: I decided to become a teacher after my freshman year of college. I was working at a summer camp designed for children with behavioral and emotional needs. That camp ignited my passion for serving children, especially those with behavioral and emotional needs. I have continued to go back to that camp in the summers, now working as the camp director.

What is something the White Station student body should know about you?: You should know that I am a huge Kentucky basketball fan.

Mr. Russ Norment

Spanish

Hobbies: Gardening, fishing, travel

What would the title of your autobiography be?: Are We There Yet?

What did you do before you became a teacher?: I was a graduate student in Madrid.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: During my graduate school year.

What is something the White Station student body should know about you?: Prior to moving to Memphis, I had also been a high school basketball and baseball coach.

Ms. Emilie King

English II

Hobbies: Reading, playing with my dogs, and watching Netflix.

What did you do before you became a teacher?: Before teaching I worked as a manager for a clothing brand while I got my degrees in English and Spanish Literature at the University of Memphis.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: When I was younger and my friends would play house, I wanted to play school. I used to go to Knowledge Tree and pick out decorations for my “classroom.” I even made my own lesson plans and named my “students.” I’ve aspired to be a teacher my whole life. And people have always told me I look like one!

What is something that the White Station student body should know about you?: I’m a Spartan! I graduated from White Station in 2012.

Ms. Elizabeth Cross

Latin and Etymology

Hobbies: Wedding planning (getting married next spring), hiking, reading, swimming, cooking

What would be the title of your autobiography?: Are You Sure? And Other Things I Sat to Scare Students

What should the White Station body know about you?: Just because I’m smiling doesn’t mean I’m happy with you.

What do you like about teaching your subject?: I’m a grammar nerd, so I definitely enjoy the aspect, but I also love to talk about the cultural and historical background of a translation, a sentence or even an author’s word choice.

What are you most looking forward to about teaching?: I am so excited to work with Mrs. LaFon and Mrs. Ryder with JCL. I really love Certamen and Latin Club, and I want to see what a huge, successful club looks like.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: I thought about it in high school, but then I really went for it in college after I found Latin to be the only subject that was both challenging and interesting to me. There aren’t a lot of opportunities for Classics majors in the Private sector, and Latin is too good not to share with everyone you know.

Coach Mario Stevenson

P.E. Lifetime Wellness

Hobbies: playing and watching golf, attending LSU games, spending time with family

What would be the title of your autobiography?: From Orange Mound to the Orange Bowl!

What did you do before you became a teacher?: I was winning a football national championship with LSU.

What should the White Station body know about you?: I graduated from LSU and bleed purple and gold. My daughter is a cheerleader for WSHS.

What do you like about teaching your subject?: I enjoy exercising, diet, and playing exciting games to burn calories. I’m able to create different ways for students to have fun while burning calories.

What are you most looking forward to about teaching?: I’m looking forward to preparing students and athletes to be champions in the classroom and on the playing field.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?: Growing up I always said that I wanted to play football for the NFL. After football mini camp with the Miami Dolphins, the NFL wanted to send me overseas. That is when I decided I want to teach and coach. If I teach something that’s related to living a healthier lifestyle and coaching football it won’t be considered work because it’s my passion.