From teaching students halfway across the world to guiding learners online in South Carolina, Emilee Hansel has built a career rooted in connection, growth, and a deep love for English Language Arts. Ms. Hansel is an English teacher at Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina, where she teaches English 1 and English 2. Now in her ninth year in education and her second year at Heron, she brings a wide range of experience and a deep passion for helping students grow academically, emotionally, and socially.
Ms. Hansel’s path to teaching was shaped by both family influence and personal experience. Growing up surrounded by wonderful teachers and family members in the profession planted the seed early on. While she initially struggled in college to decide on a major, a summer internship teaching elementary students in Guam became the turning point. That experience confirmed her desire to teach and showed her the joy she finds in working with students and embracing the new challenges each day brings.
English Language Arts has always been her primary focus, but Ms. Hansel’s teaching background is diverse. She has taught English as a Second Language courses, reading electives, and even designed a new elective centered on historical individuals. She spent six years teaching eighth grade, a time she remembers fondly for the energy and enthusiasm students brought into the classroom. She then taught seventh grade for one year before transitioning to high school, where she has taught for the past two years. Working with students of different ages has been one of her favorite parts of the job.
Throughout her career, Ms. Hansel has collected many meaningful memories. Teaching during the pandemic stands out as a powerful experience, as she witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of her students during an uncertain time. Graduation is another moment she treasures, especially when she sees former middle school students walk across the stage having grown so much since they first entered her classroom.
Her teaching philosophy centers on reflection, adaptability, and student involvement. Ms. Hansel believes students learn best when they are active participants in their education and when their backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued. Creating a safe and welcoming environment where students feel seen, heard, and respected is always her top priority. She strives to help students develop a growth mindset and celebrates both big achievements and small steps of success.
Teaching in a charter school has been especially rewarding for Ms. Hansel. She values the focus on individualized learning pathways and the ongoing commitment to innovation in service of students. She also appreciates the culture of reflection and humility, where educators continually evaluate and refine their practices to better meet student needs. For Ms. Hansel, the students remain the heart of the work and the reason she continues to love teaching year after year.
Thank you, Ms. Hansel, for all of the work you have done and continue to do in educating the children of South Carolina!
