In a candid and heartfelt interview, Mrs. Ashley Murphy, Galileo Magnet High School’s beloved art teacher, opens up about her journey in education, the lessons she’s learned, and the joy she finds in both her students and colleagues. With ten years at Galileo under her belt, Mrs. Murphy shares her reasons for becoming a teacher, the moments that have made her proud, and the wisdom she wishes she could pass on to her younger self. Known for her creativity and sense of humor, Mrs. Murphy’s story is one of dedication, growth, and genuine passion for the people she teaches and works alongside every day.
Why do you teach your subject?
I always liked art, and I knew I wanted to be a teacher, so it just kind of went together.
Out of all your time teaching, what do you think your best decision was?
Coming to Galileo. I could have gone to Bartlett Yancey, and I chose Galileo instead.
Looking back, if you could make one change to something in your teaching career what would it be?
Not stressing so much my first year, because I used to think everything had to be perfect. And it definitely does not.
If you could speak to yourself when it was your first day teaching what would you say?
Relax. It’ll be fine.
When you come to school what do you look forward to the most?
Seeing my teacher friends and my students. Because I like y’all most days.
How long have you been at Galileo?
This is my tenth year.
Has teaching ever made you feel like a proud parent?
Yeah, especially when kids get something that they haven’t got for a long time. You’re like, yay, they did it.
Do you think you have made any life long friends by working here?
Oh, yeah, definitely.
How much do you change yourself when you’re at work, if at all?
I think I’m the same all the time. I might tone down my language a little bit when I’m at work.
If you had to sponsor a new club what would you want it to be and why?
Honestly, I have too many clubs. So I don’t want a new club. I don’t know what it would be because I don’t want to think about it.
What is something you wish that you would have learned or done sooner?
I wish I would have taken Beta Club sooner because Mr. Carter was running into the ground. So I wish I would have took that years ago.
What are some of your favorite things that you have learned while being a teacher?
That’s hard. My favorite things I’ve learned. Kids are just fun to work with. Like, they’ll surprise me, y’all surprise us.
Do you have a favorite story to tell about your life?
I don’t know, I like my job I guess. I’m excited to move to Langston next year. I’m looking forward to that.
What’s a secret about being a teacher that students don’t know?
That we don’t know everything. They think we do. Like, one of them just asked me for help drawing hands. I cannot draw people. I can’t do it.
Out of all the staff at Galileo, who would you be interested in reading an interview like this on? Who do you think the student body should get to know better?
There’s a lot. Can I say more than one? Definitely Mrs. Kinnett because she’s crazy. Mr. Carter because he would probably give some wild answers. Those two I think. Well, I’d like to read everybody’s but for sure those two.
