Susan Millsap developed an early appreciation for languages and culture.
“Je m’appelle Susan Millsap. J’étais éudiante dans les écoles de Lubbock ISD et ensuite à Texas Tech University. Á l’université, j’ai gagné un diplôme universitaire en anglais, français, et italien. J’ai aussi gagné un certificat d’enseignement. Maintenant, j’enseigne le français à Texas Tech K-12.”
That’s French teacher Susan Millsap, one of the many electives teachers at Texas Tech K-12. In the language she’s learned to love, Millsap states that she attended Lubbock ISD schools and then Texas Tech University where she completed a double major in English and French, a minor in Italian, earned her teaching certificate and is teaching at Texas Tech K-12 – loosely translated, that is.
When she was a child, Millsap read a lot, including the classics. Many authors threw in French words and phrases and that made her very curious about language; she decided to learn French to better appreciate the literature. Reading also instilled in her a desire to travel because so many of the stories took place in or mentioned destinations in Europe.
“I took French as soon as I could in high school and then majored in French in college,” Millsap said. “My first trip to France was as a chaperone for Lubbock students to attend the University of Dijon for a summer abroad program. After that trip, I was hooked on French and on traveling, especially in Europe.”
Aside from languages and teaching, Millsap also earned state certification in journalism and computer science.
With 33 years’ teaching experience in Lubbock ISD including English, French, journalism, computer graphics and videography, she was interested in teaching for Texas Tech K-12 to continue with her interest in French. She’s in her 13th year, and she also works with the University Interscholastic League (UIL) judging journalism competitions.
Millsap’s goal in teaching is to do what she can to help every student succeed in the course. To her, the most rewarding part of teaching is to witness the progress and success of each student.
“I have really enjoyed the relationships I have built with my students and parents,” Millsap said. “I love that I am helping students in a nontraditional school environment,”
But even in the next breath, she grins and says the biggest challenge for an online teacher is to make that personal connection with the student, since the teacher and student don’t usually meet face to face. Millsap has a strategy for that.
“It’s important for me to get to know the students through paying attention to their reactions to my critiques and then answering any questions they have about the language or about the technical aspects of working through the course,” she explained.
“The advice I give them is to pay attention to the instructions, study at a steady pace and not wait until the last minute to finish assignments. I would like to see them focus on the enjoyment of learning a new language and culture.”
Being part-time allows Millsap time for other pursuits. She still enjoys traveling as well as playing golf and spending time with her family.
Like Millsap, most of the certified teachers in Texas Tech K-12 are part-time. Braxton Allison, Texas Tech K-12 principal, says part-time teachers are critical to serving the school’s student population. In fact, a full 75% of teachers at the school are part-time.
“Particularly in our electives courses, they’re essential because there are so many different subject areas and teaching certificates attached,” Allison said. “Finding skilled individuals like Susan, who can support those courses, requires us to lean on part-time teachers who are experts in those areas.”
Millsap never really planned on teaching at all. That came with the realization there were not any other places in Lubbock to use her French other than in school.
“I got a teaching certificate just because I needed a job,” she chuckled. “Since then, I have grown to love teaching as a way to share my love of language and culture."