Name- Tracy Gutsche
Family- husband Bill (10 ½ years); daughter Leslie (6); son Lane (3)
What do you teach? Global Studies—first year!
Teaching experience/education- 12th year of teaching—all years at DCHS; B.A. from Murray State University (English major; History Minor); M.A. in Education from Western Kentucky University; Rank I equivalency through Indiana Wesleyan
Favorite part of your subject- I am so thrilled not only to teach about world geography but to be a true student of the world around us. Literature is the core of my teaching soul (especially British literature) but I am really enjoying learning new things and applying current events.
Interests/hobbies- Honestly, just being a television junkie when I have scant moments of time to myself, but I would rather be scrapbooking our children’s albums or laughing with a big group of friends. I’m trying to gather very old family photos (pre 1900s) and scanning them for other relatives.
One other interesting fact about you- I know my family history quite well (stories as old as 1830s, locations of old “homeplaces”, cemetery plots, etc.) and feel privileged to be in a family that takes pride in where they have come from.
A story about an educator that left an impression on you- My junior year English teacher, Anne Pruitt, was the most fascinating, eccentric woman I had ever seen—from the flourish of her bi-focal glasses on and off her face down to her acrylic, stiletto heels. Her style was very scattered, but I loved her—we all did—for the relationships she built with her students. If you answered a question correctly, she praised you for it—usually flamboyantly. She was always available for extra help and tried to help me tap my own potential, something I appreciated more when I was assigned to her senior English class. She taught me how to love literature and desire to teach it. Another teacher—also based on relationships—was a college history professor. I cannot recall his last name because we all called him “T. Wayne” as he was listed in directories. He was my British History and European History professor, and he brought history to life in the most enlightening and comical ways. His office was always open for extra help and ALWAYS full of the brightest history students on campus. I recall going to his office a couple of times to make sure I understood assignments and being welcomed as if I were an academic equal to other students—the classmates whose knowledge left me in awe! Alas, both these mentors have died within the last two years, but I have never forgotten from their example that students begin as names on rosters but soon become PEOPLE. I try to remember to teach the student but to take care of the person.
