Photos by Kelly Sue Photography
Since graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Judy has always been a teacher, and even met her husband Gary when the two of them coached track together. Gary is a retired economics teacher and tennis coach. They have been married for 36 years and have a son and daughter, along with two young grandsons. Judy’s face lights up when she talks about her family, but when she talks about her students, you quickly realize teaching is her passion. Former student Candice Nichols says, “Mrs. Hirshey is very passionate about everything she teaches. She would get so excited, so loud, that the other teachers would ask her to please shut her door. Mrs. Hirshey was an extremely good teacher because of her excitement, but she wasn’t just passionate about the subject—she was passionate about all her students.”
How did you decide you wanted to be a teacher and the subject you wanted to teach?
What do you find to be the hardest part about teaching?
Our students do everything, from band to football, cheerleading, and theater. They are spread so thin, and they put so much pressure on themselves. They often feel defeated if they don’t make an A. I want them to understand they are not defined by their grades. Helping them to learn how to budget their time is probably the biggest challenge.
What brings you the most joy?
What are you most passionate about?
My biggest passion is my students. I love watching them find things out and discover things for themselves. They always ask for my perspective on current events and politics. I turn it around and ask them what they think, and more importantly why they think that. You’re not allowed to have an opinion unless you can give me a reason why you think that way. I teach my students to be bold—to not be afraid to give an opinion.
I run into former students everywhere, no matter where I am, and I love to see the way they have grown and flourished.
How has teaching changed for you in the last three, almost four, decades?
The students are basically the same. They have been the same whether I was teaching in the inner city or the barrio or teaching the white middle-class. No matter where I have taught, the students want their teachers to recognize they’re good people who have something to offer. Everyone wants recognition, to be somebody. While the kids have not changed, the expectations they live with have changed drastically. They are spread so thin, with such an emphasis on being in many different groups, clubs, and sports. They push themselves so much harder than we used to at their age. We expect kids to be involved in everything. I have students who don’t go home from school until eight o’clock, and then they have three hours of homework. Then they have to eat dinner, and they have to sleep, so a lot of times these kids aren’t going to bed until twelve or one in the morning, then trying to get up and come to school the next day to do it all over again. They are pulled in so many directions.
How has administration affected your teaching?
Conroe High School also offers excellent vocational opportunities with programs in Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Auto Tech, and more. Many high schools, like CHS, are leaning toward partnerships with junior colleges like Lone Star. We’ve done that here, and it’s a good option for many students. They can graduate high school with some college credits.
You taught in many different places in different socio-economic areas; how is teaching in Conroe different?
There really are no major differences. Students just want someone to care about them. It is so much fun, and the kids are just amazing. They’re like sponges, soaking up all the information they can get. I just love it here.
As far as Conroe being different, there is no difference. Kids are the same all over; they have good hearts and want to do well.
Do your experiences of historical events affect your teaching of them?
Sure. Teaching 9/11 is so hard; it is so fresh in my mind. But, I also remember when Dr. King was assassinated. I get to tell them how people reacted to these events and can be a primary source on some of the more modern historical events. But, I like to present them with a variety of perspectives and teach them to question why each perspective is different.
What would you tell someone considering becoming a teacher?
I would tell anyone that if you want to make a real difference in this world, teach. It is so important, and you will never get bored. If you can convince your students they have something valuable to offer and they are important, they will be able to accomplish anything.