Emotional Support Teacher Ms. Joey Hamilton-Ficks joined the Milton High School faculty this year, but this is her 19th year of teaching.
Before switching to special education, she worked as a physical education teacher for Williamson Jr. Sr. High School in Tioga. Ms. Ficks graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in Physical Education and is currently attending Bloomsburg University for a degree in Special Education.
“The reason I chose to teach at Milton is my husband is from this area and has been looking to move back.” she said. Her son, Senior Kade Ficks, also attends Milton and said that he likes it here.
“I originally didn’t seek this position out; I was attending my kid’s soccer practice when I was told some positions that were open,” Ms. Ficks added.
She said the best part of her current job is the principals and all the supportive people. “They are good people to be around,” she added.
“The hardest part of working in the special education department is learning all the paperwork timelines and getting things done on time,” she added. “The students here are respectful and fun, I was very impressed at the assembly when none of the students had their phones out.”
“The strategies that are most effective in engaging students are paying attention to what they need like a relationship, but the biggest thing is you’re there supporting them,” she said.
The biggest difference between being a gym teacher and now is that she doesn’t have to be active or be in sports clothes all day, she explained.
Junior Maeve Ficks is Ms. Ficks’ daughter. “All the schools I’ve been in, she has also worked in,” Maeve said. “The biggest difference between (Ms. Ficks) as a mom and her as a teacher is she is not as bossy and isn’t talking about schoolwork,”
Ms. Ficks said some of her hobbies are helping run outdoor club, and camping, “I would like to get back into coaching soccer,” Ms. Ficks said, adding that she coached indoor and travel soccer for elementary students.
At one point, Ms. Ficks also taught kids how to ride dirt bikes, according to Maeve.
“The strategies that are most effective in engaging students are paying attention to what they need like a relationship, but the biggest thing is you’re there supporting them,” she said.
