Paige Aiken said she has wanted to teach at MSMS since getting her teaching license in 2019.
“It was the best day of my life,” Aiken said regarding her hire.
Aiken is one of two new teachers in MSMS’s chemistry department, replacing Elizabeth Morgan and Lisa Smith.
Director for Academic Affairs Thomas Easterling said MSMS was looking for teachers with, at minimum, a master’s degree in chemistry, a gift for communicating with students and an interest in working with academically talented students in a residential setting.
“Students who volunteered to take sample lessons [from] Mrs. Aiken gave stellar reviews,” Easterling said. “Having watched her teach, I knew she works hard to make sure chemistry is relatable to students.”
Easterling also said Aiken’s teaching and research background is especially important as students learn in labs and beyond.
Aiken graduated from Mississippi State University in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and concentrations in education, chemistry and biology. After teaching in public schools for four years, she returned to MSU for her master’s degree in chemistry and aims to finish her doctorate in chemistry by 2026.
Having taught both undergraduates and secondary students in the past, Aiken said she loves working with high school students and finds working with them more enjoyable.
“One of the best parts of being a high school teacher is … seeing [students] follow [their] dreams and get into college,” Aiken said. “I’m just excited for [them] to go through that process … and get really excited about [their] future.”
Junior Hutch Clemons said he has had a positive experience in AP Chemistry with Aiken so far.
“I love her energy and her devotion to actually teaching us,” Clemons said. “I can tell that she wants us to succeed, and that’s what makes a good teacher, in my opinion.”
Aiken said the perfect blend of social and academic aspects at MSMS made teaching appealing.
“I care a lot about chemistry, and so I wanted to teach students that also really care about it,” Aiken said. “I get to teach high-caliber chemistry that I love [without] giving up the relationship building that happens when you teach in public high schools.”
So far, Aiken has built meaningful relationships with her students.
“She always asks if we have questions and always makes sure her students understand what she’s teaching,” junior Cathy Shao said.
Aiken said she is excited for her teaching career to continue at MSMS.
“It’s been even better than I expected,” Aiken said. “It’s been awesome.”
