Staff Spotlight – Betty Murphy

Tell us a little about yourself! What inspired you to become a teacher?

I have always known that I wanted to work with children. My mom often tells me that, as a little girl, I would dress up all of my dolls, line them up, and pretend they were my students. I would teach them everything I had learned in school. Although, attending college wasn’t an option for me at that time in my life, I never lost my passion for helping children learn and grow. I truly believe God had a different plan for me, and He led me to Magnolia Speech School. Working here has confirmed that I am exactly where I am meant to be!

What brought you to Magnolia Speech School, and what excites you most about being here?

A coworker of mine at Walmart, who had previously worked at Magnolia, was always sharing stories about her experiences there. The way she talked about the school, the students, and the impact of the work inspired me to want to be a part of it as well. When she decided to return to Magnolia, she asked if I wanted to join her. I came in for an interview toured the school and was amazes by what I saw. I was offered the position that same day, and I knew that was a special place to work.
Twenty years later, I am still here, and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the Magnolia family. What excites me most is seeing the expressions on parents’ faces when they begin to notice the growth and change in their children. Being able to witness those moments shows the difference we make in those families lives.

What is your favorite part of working with our students?

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the growth our students make from their first day here to the end of that first year! They are totally different kids! Their new found confidence, communication, and overall development is truly remarkable! That progress motivates me to come to work each day!

What is your go-to coffee (or favorite morning) order?

I always make my own coffee but if I had to stop it would probably an Iced Carmel Coffee from McDonald’s.

What is one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?

I am an open book, there are no hidden facts that I can think of.

Outside of the classroom, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Traveling and getting out in my the yard doing some gardening!

What is one goal you have for this school year?

My goal for this school year is to have every student that I work with to improve their computer skills and confidence in using technology.