Keepin' It Secondary: High School Teacher Highlight

Jana Mock

Jana Mock may be the teacher who was born the furthest from Williamsburg – born in Chicago. However, Mock and her family moved to Williamsburg when she was in the 5th grade. Mock graduated from Williamsburg in 1985 and then graduated from Lock Haven University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s in Health and Physical Education. When she is not teaching, Mock can be found with her family, attending Penn State football games with her sister, attending craft shows, reading or walking. She and husband Terry have two children – Landon who is engaged, and a daughter Alexa and her husband Mathew. Mock is “Grammie” to two adorable little girls – Molly and Amelia.

Mock says growing up she wanted to be a teacher or a registered nurse.

“After one year of nursing school and multiple episodes of passing out of blood and needles, I decided to change my major,” Mock said.

She then transferred to Lock Haven for teaching.

“I think the Lord was showing me that I needed to teach,” she said.

Mock says throughout her education at Williamsburg, “I had many amazing teachers that inspired me and pushed me to do my very best,” however, she credits Mr. Jerry Campbell and Miss Heidi Heller for their positive influence on her life and “they were two of my favorite teachers,” she beams. She began her teaching career at Williamsburg in 2004 following a nine-year stint with other districts (St. Patrick’s, Hollidaysburg Catholic, Penn Mont and Bishop Guilfoyle).

“I love that I have the opportunity to watch the students grow up right before my eyes. Mr. Farrell and I first meet the students as new, fresh-faced Kindergarten students and we continue to watch them grow until we watch them graduate. I still keep in touch with many students that I have taught with in the past,” Mock said. “As their Health/Physical Education teacher, I strive to educate my students on taking care of their total health – this means their physical, mental/emotional and social health – keeping all sides of their health triangle balanced and healthy.”

“Make good choices,” Mock said, she reiterates to her female students everyday.

“I hope my students know when I say those words, it is from a caring heart. I want my students to think about the consequences of their choices and I want the very best for all of my students. Being a high school student in today’s society can be tough. The social media that is available can be overwhelming. I would like to tell all of my students to – turn off your phones, talk to a friend, be a friend, spend time outside, stay true to yourself, stand up for what is right and just be kind,” Mock said of her advice to students.

Cathy Mock

“I wanted to become a teacher because I love to inspire students and enjoy seeing their success outside of school,” Williamsburg High School teacher Cathy Mock said.

Mock is a Central High graduate and went on to Saint Francis University where she received a Bachelor’s in Special Education and Elementary Education. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and her two children, Eliza and Dayne. She also enjoys reading, teaching Sunday School at Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church, and she along with her husband own and operate Mock’s Bridge Pet Resort which is a boarding facility for dogs.

Mock credits Dr. Dee Wallace, a professor at St. Francis, for influencing her life.

“She was a stern but caring teacher,” Mock said.

She has been teaching at Williamsburg since 2002, and began her career as the special education teacher for seventh-eighth grades; she is now the 9th-12th grade special education teacher.

“The best part of being a teacher is watching my students succeed, I love to see their progress and confidence as they learn new skills,” Mock said.

Mock also enjoys the small-town atmosphere of Williamsburg.

“I love our small community, which means smaller classes. We may be small but we are mighty,” she said.

Her teaching philosophy is to provide a positive environment that promotes learning.

“I want my students to become smart thinkers and reflective decision makers. I also try to instill the treat others the way you want to be treated mentality in my students,” she said.

“I love getting to know my students and seeing them succeed, I love to hear of their success after high school – several of my students have graduated college, have great jobs and even own businesses which I am very proud of,” Mock said. “I always say – be smart, be safe – I want them (the students) to be successful in their lives.”

Michelle Parks

“I have lived here for 18 years and always admire the extent to which everyone who lives and works here focuses on the community,” Secondary teacher Michelle Parks said when asked about Williamsburg.

“I’m originally from Shade Gap and graduated from Southern Huntingdon, and then I went to Penn State for a degree in Ag Science,” Parks said.

She and her husband Matt have three children – Riley, Sam and Ingrid, two are currently her students. Outside of the classroom, Parks enjoys cooking, camping, spending time with her parents on their beef farm and reading.

“I can’t say that I ever dreamed of becoming a teacher but rather ended up in the position by chance,” Parks said. “However, teaching has so far been the most enjoyable and rewarding job I have ever had.”

Parks says her two high school English teachers, Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Hicks were her most influential.

“They helped me to become a better writer, inspired me to be more creative and taught me never to settle for adequacy in my work,” she said.

Parks began teaching in Williamsburg in 2021, but served as the elementary secretary prior to that.

“I love to interact with the students each day, and thoroughly enjoy the discussions we have in class. Students in Williamsburg have great ideas and ask good questions; it is wonderful to see the spark that happens when they are making connections,” Parks said when asked about the best part of her job.

“My approach to teaching is grounded in my goals of ensuring thorough and genuine learning of new concepts and guiding my students to take an active role in their education,” she says of her teaching philosophy.

Throughout the interview, it’s clear to see that Parks’ students mean a lot to her, “High school students are almost adults, and I like to give them the opportunity to practice the skills they will need to be successful in society. I see my students as peers, which I think helps them relate to me and what I want them to learn. That isn’t something that educators can easily do with younger students,” she said.

“Although it may not seem like it some days, I want my students to know their education is a gift. Never stop learning; you will never regret learning something new. I’ve never met anyone who said – I wish I didn’t know that, but plenty of people who have said – I wish I knew more about that. You may never use it again, but you will be able to participate in the conversation with anyone, or you might just end up in front of a classroom of teenagers teaching them the difference between an atom, and a molecule,” Parks said.