Please join us in celebrating Mrs. Reyna Tate for being named Glynn Academy’s First Teacher of the Month! 

What do you teach at Glynn Academy?
I teach Algebra Concepts and Connections, which is the first year of algebra for freshmen.

How long have you been teaching, and what inspired you to become a teacher?
I’ve been teaching for 25 years. Interestingly, I never originally planned to become a teacher. My background is in computer science and math, and when my family moved to Georgia in the 2000s, I was asked to interview for a teaching position even though I didn’t have a teaching certificate at the time. I got hired and earned my certificate while learning on the job. Looking back, it was a blessing that opened the door to this career.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Glynn Academy family?
The algebra team here is amazing. I work with the best group of teachers on campus. We plan together, run the same activities, and collaborate closely. It makes teaching a lot of fun.

What’s your favorite lesson, unit, or project to teach, and why?
Quadratic functions are my favorite unit. It’s a nice change from constantly graphing lines, and I love seeing those “lightbulb moments” when students finally grasp the concepts.

How do you keep your students engaged and excited about learning?
We use a combination of strategies, but our “secret sauce” is the Amplify app. It keeps students engaged with interactive practice quizzes, helps them experience milestone-style questions, and provides instant feedback.

What do you hope students take away from your class beyond the subject matter?
Math can be challenging, so I hope students gain confidence in tackling difficult problems. Even when they make mistakes, I want them to know they can succeed.

What’s one fun fact about you that your students might not know?
I’m actually a pretty boring person!

What do you like to do in your free time?
My husband and I are renovating a 1968 home, which keeps us very busy.

If you weren’t a teacher, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I’d be developing software. I still enjoy that aspect of my background and would likely focus on creating software for teachers.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t quit. Find people to share ideas with and collaborate.

What keeps you motivated and inspired as an educator?
Seeing students succeed and watching those “lightbulb moments” is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy helping students develop their math skills, building relationships, and witnessing their growth, especially from freshman year onward.

How does it feel to be named Teacher of the Month?
I was surprised when I found out, but I feel truly honored. It’s especially meaningful because the nomination came from my colleagues.