English as a language has become a defining aspect of who the United States is. From the day the founding fathers of the United States declared independence in 1776 to the present day in 2026, English has been the go-to language for both writing and speaking in the United States. As a result, it has become imperative for those residing in the United States to learn English to secure the best possible opportunities. Most people in the United States learn English through the public school system, where they receive face-to-face instruction. Many English teachers across the globe truly care about the success of their students, and one of them just so happens to be McCaskey’s very own Mrs. Trainer.

Mrs. Trainer came out of high school deciding that being an English teacher was what she wanted to do. She gravitated towards English specifically, “because literature allows us to step into the experiences of others and see the world through perspectives beyond our own. Literature allows us to understand more about others, our world, and ourselves.” This would lead her to Millersville, where she would major in an English Education program.

As a teacher, Mrs. Trainer stands out for her unique personality and supportive nature. Mrs. Trainer would describe herself as “energetic and passionate, both personally and as a teacher.” She loves to support her students on their journey to figuring themselves out more than anything. She even went as far as to argue that “I love teaching because it allows me to make connections with students and have the ability to show them their full potential.” McCaskey junior Elicia Austin added that “I love her. She is great and very supportive. She is very sweet and always supports me through whatever. Thanks, Mama Goose (a nickname for Mrs. Trainer).”

Many students also shared similar positive experiences with Mrs. Trainer. McCaskey sophomore Analisse Caballero Medina shared that “Mrs. Trainer is literally the best teacher in the world. She’s so sweet and really builds connections with her students. She’s very helpful when needed and manages to explain everything very well. She’s very supportive. She wants everyone to be successful, no matter what, and will help lead them to success.” 

McCaskey sophomore Sophia Miranda argued that “Mrs. Trainer is a fantastic teacher! She is funny but also very helpful with work, and she taught me many helpful things that I can use for college. She’s a very supportive teacher, too. She makes sure everyone can understand any topic we talk about in class while also adding a fun atmosphere to the classroom that makes learning fun.” 

Mrs. Trainer’s teaching style can be best described as energetic and engaging. She tries to blend her high-energy nature with challenging coursework that leaves students feeling both challenged and engaged. An example of this is her gambling game, where she has her students wager on multiple choice questions with the chance for a reward. Mrs. Trainer herself described her teaching style as blending “high rigor with high engagement. I hold students to ambitious standards because I know they are capable, while designing lessons that reflect their interests to keep them invested in their learning. By cultivating a classroom environment built on trust and positive rapport, I create a space where students feel comfortable taking intellectual risks and being authentically themselves.” 

There is no place in Mrs. Trainer’s classroom where the class rigor she mentioned earlier is more evident than in her AP Language and Composition classes. AP Language and Composition is an advanced English course offered by the Advanced Placement (AP) program that aims to teach high school students to read, analyze, and write at the college level. s Mrs. Trainer argued, students “can be successful after graduation. Whether they are going to college or right into the workforce, students will need to be able to communicate clearly, think critically, and adapt their ideas for different audiences and purposes in order to succeed in any path they choose.”

Mrs. Trainer urges students to take the course because “it teaches them how to think critically, communicate effectively, and analyze the world around them. The course equips students with real-world skills–like crafting arguments, evaluating evidence, and understanding rhetoric–that will benefit them in college, careers, and everyday life.” While the course is tough, the benefits laid out by Mrs. Trainer are clear as day and make the class worth taking. Mrs. Trainer tries to ease the course’s difficulty a bit by giving students proper feedback on their work. McCaskey junior Maesie-Joy Bethel commented on this, stating that she likes how Mrs. Trainer “gives suggestions for how to improve an essay. She is specific.” 

Mrs. Trainer also has a unique personality that her students find engaging. She likes to tell jokes to her class, which has earned her the nicknames “Lil’ Crackin” and “Lil’ Cornball” from her students. McCaskey sophomore Mujgahn Mohebbi believes that Mrs. Trainer is “our little comedian.” Mrs. Trainer said that “Being able to laugh with my students is the highlight of my day, even though they claim I am corny. Having a positive rapport and being able to joke around with one another allows laughter to be a constant in our classroom.”

A picture of Mrs. Trainer’s desk.

Mrs. Trainer is also very accomplished. She earned a degree in English and worked her way up to teaching college-level courses, but to her, those accomplishments pale in comparison to starting a family. She argued that her greatest accomplishment is “my family–my husband and our daughter. Starting a family was always a dream for me, and every day I am in awe of the life that my husband and I have created.”

Over the years Mrs. Trainer has taught English, she has proven herself a favorite among students despite the challenging nature of her classes. She supports her students as much as a teacher can, ensuring they are both engaged and successful. In the end, as Mrs. Trainer put it, she is “always here for you! Whether I had you threeyears ago or never at all, I will always be willing to help, listen, and support you whenever you need it.”