Paula Irwin

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve been giving about teaching? 

A: To take time to listen. 

Q:What made you choose to teach at AAHS? 

A: We were moving to Altoona. I was very unhappy at my old school, and people were telling me that there was an opening here. 

Q: When was the moment you realized you wanted to be a teacher?

A: People told me they thought I would be a good teacher.

Q:  What is your favorite part of teaching so far? Why?

A: Labs

Q: Who inspired you to become a teacher?

A: Combination. My high school PE teacher, genetics teacher in high school, microbiology college professor  

Q: What college did you go to?

A: West Virginia

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: Baking, cooking, Curve games, spending time with family and decorating

Q: Why did you choose the subject you are teaching? 

A: The first opening in a high school was chemistry, and I fell in love with teaching chemistry. 

Q: As a student, I know I tend to get nervous for the first weeks of school. As a teacher in a new school, do you feel that sense of nervousness you once felt as a student? 

A: I haven’t in a long time, but there is some anxiety. 

Q: Is there something you would want to do during your teaching career? Ex: coaching a sport, head of a club etc.

A: I am adviser for After Glow.