Growing up, everyone has a favorite class, one that sticks with you through the years.  Eventually, we will all encounter that one class whose experiences will last us a lifetime.  For many students here, that class comes under the tutelage of Carrie Myers.

Myers teaches both AP and regular Psychology at West Springfield, and both classes carry an air of reverence whenever it comes time to register in the spring.  Just about every student at one time or another wants to take Psychology in their high school careers.

“I took this class mostly because of how popular it is,” said Junior Marissa Wajda. “Every one of my upperclassmen friends last year recommended the class. During registration I needed one more elective and couldn’t decide. When even my counselor recommended Psych for how fun it is, I was sold.”

Past students who have moved on to bigger and better things still talk about the class to this day.  Their stories, told with a sparkle in their eye and tinged with admiration, are passed down to younger siblings.

“It definitely has a reputation as a popular class. My sister took it, and she loved it; that was four years ago. So I thought, ‘Why not me?’” said junior Lindsey Renoll.

Incentives to taking the class sometimes lie beyond its popularity.   Sometimes, kids take it to prepare themselves for college.  Still others see themselves entering the field after college.

“I wanted to start taking college level classes in high school. You know, to prepare myself.  Eventually I want to get into the Psychology field, and believe me, I haven’t been disappointed,” said Junior Ngia Duong.

Such a reputation comes with great responsibility and a felt requirement to live up to the hype, whether you’re the Los Angeles Lakers or a first rate janitor.  Even teachers occasionally feel the need to meet expectations.

“I used to be an Econ major, so I like to think of my students as my consumers,” Myers said.  “If they don’t like the class, eventually, I’m going to be out of a job.”

Sometimes even the best laid plans don’t work out.  What we originally plan and hope to pursue later in life simply doesn’t work.  Myers experienced this first-hand, making the huge transition from an Economics major to high school Psychology teacher soon after she graduated from college. But she hasn’t looked back.

“I focused on the psychological aspect of economics through college, but when I actually got into the field, I was bored.  So I went back to school to become a teacher and decided to focus on what I actually enjoyed: the brain.”

In fact, the only reason Myers is a teacher instead of a certified shrink is simply the amount of time it took to become one.

Seventeen years later, after teaching at North East High School in Anne Arundel County near Baltimore, Potomac Falls in Loudon County and now here, Myers is still going strong.

“I come to work every day because of the kids. I feel like the American education system is in shambles and something needs to be done,” said Myers.  “While I know that one teacher cannot make a huge difference, I believe what I do truly helps prepare my kids for the future.”

Myers models her classroom off of a college environment, giving her students more responsibility than they have ever experienced before.

“The amount of work we get is insane.  I get the most homework in her class by far.  Sometimes she doesn’t even collect it, which is incredibly frustrating.  But I know in the long term it’s for our benefit,” said junior Molly Miller.

Myers believes that the energy that she brings to class is what makes it so popular.  There isn’t a dull moment.

“In reality, I’m a mess.  My students made me a book of all the crazy quotes I said in just one year and believe me, if you didn’t personally know me before reading it, you’d think that I’d belong in an insane asylum,” said Myers.

Because the majority of class involves lectures, Myers tries to keep the students involved. From throwing out snide remarks about her own life, to engaging in comical debates ranging from football to favorite food, to even turning some of her students into case studies, there is never a dull moment in her class. Many people can tell class is in session from the belly-rolling that ensues after she cracks a joke, or the animation that she exudes when teaching.

“I find it impossible to fall asleep in that class. There’s too much happening to be able to relax,” said junior Sami Tenaglia. “Just about every lecture is enjoyable; Myers is easily the funniest teacher I have.”

Eventually, Myers will retire, and the torch of her most popular class will fall to another teacher. But until that day comes, Myers is here to stay.

“I love what I do, and I plan on doing it for a long time afterwards. There’s nothing I would rather do.”