by Erin Osterhout

Dr. Bonnia Fouts roams around the classroom, watching as her students work on their volcano project and rushing to anyone in need.

Most people would assume that Fouts is merely a normal science teacher if they did not know her story.

However, this is never the full story. 

Few would look at Fouts and assume that she had two degrees.

“I had part-time jobs, but most of them involved teaching. My first job was a P.E teacher. I have two degrees — one is in physical education and health, and the other one was speech and drama,” she said.

Fouts dreamed of being a teacher as a young girl.

“I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was 8 years old. I actually started teaching my neighbors and helped them with their homework, and I loved it.”

Fouts then admitted that she had originally retired but came back after some time.

“Well, I actually retired in 2012 but I came back and this is now my 41st year of teaching. I got the ExCel award for best teacher of the year in Greater Clark County like Mr.Santry did. In 2005 I was the runner-up when I competed for best teacher of the year,” stated Fouts. “I got a bunch of neat stuff.”

Fouts loves working with students in the classroom and motivating them.

“I try to build a relationship with them and get to know them because you can’t motivate them if you don’t know them much,” she explained. “I will do anything for a student.”

Sign language interpreter Angela Liebert said Fouts makes her lessons fun and interactive.

“Mrs. Fouts is very hands on with her lessons; she makes them come alive out of the book. The textbook is the resource, but the way she teaches allows the concepts and things the students learn about come alive. She cares about the students and she cares about her job and profession. She really takes it to heart.”

Liebert said Fouts’s personality mixes into her lessons and interactions with colleagues.

“Mrs. Fouts is a very compassionate person. She is my friend. I can honestly say that Mrs. Fouts is my coworker and friend. We shared a lunch together. She’s always checking on you, and she is an example of a true true friend.”

Senior Breayden Eugene Duncan also described Fouts as as someone who genuinely cares about her students in the classroom. She has been helping him succeed for two years.

“Last year I learned ICP I was in there specifically for physics, and this year I’m learning earth/space. She always kept me focused in class and basically kept me concentrated and focused on work,” Duncan explained. “Honestly (she is) great at explaining and doing notes and stuff like that. Does easy assignments and overall is really nice and has helped me all last year and this year.”

Fouts’s ultimate goal is to help her students succeed. As she said, “I am an advocate for my students.”