Meet the Teacher Advisory Council: Emily Dettmar of Mill Creek MS!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community.  You can learn more about the Council and see the full list of its members online here.

Emily Dettmar of Mill Creek Middle School
A seven-year educator, Emily Dettmar is a sixth-grade literature and composition teacher at Mill Creek Middle School. She began her teaching career as a student teacher there and then officially joined the faculty.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
I wanted to become a teacher because I wanted to find a way to make a difference in the world. I first realized that I wanted to become a teacher in the seventh grade, in Mrs. Farist’s class. She found a way to make sure that everyone saw their value, and that stuck with me. Teachers who can make their classroom a safe space for learning truly make a difference!

What do you find most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing confidence grow, whether academically, socially, or emotionally, within my students. I love seeing the moment when they begin to believe in their own abilities, whether through sharing an idea aloud, tackling a challenging text, or taking pride in their writing. Once they begin to believe in themselves and see their potential, anything is possible.

How do you elevate the excellence in your classroom?
I elevate the excellence in my classroom by fostering student confidence. I consistently reinforce the idea that mistakes are not failures, but evidence of effort and an essential part of the learning process. By providing them with a growth mindset, it helps students shift from a fear of being wrong, to a willingness to try, revise, and grow. I also push the importance of student voice, as some of our best ideas form through discussion and reflection.

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