Savannah Bryant

One new faculty member on campus this year is Savannah Bryant who joined the English Department. Born right here in Texas, Bryant attended graduate school at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in English and minoring in Education. Along with that, she is also a proud soccer coach. Wingspan recently caught up with her to gain some insight into who she is and what she’s been up to.

Wingspan: What made you want to pursue English? 

Bryant: “Well, my mom is actually a high school English teacher so it’s kind of in my blood but I mean I love reading, I think that it’s a good subject because there’s a lot of people that struggle with it and a group of people that absolutely love it. I like to encourage the people that absolutely love it and help out the people that struggle with it but then again it’s also in my blood.”

Wingspan: Was teaching always what you wanted to do?

Bryant: “For the majority of my life I wanted to be a teacher but there were a few years where I considered going to physical therapy school but at the end of the day I stuck with teaching because I love kids, love soccer.” 

Wingspan: What is your favourite part of being a teacher/coach?

Bryant: “My favourite part, I just really love to interact with the students, build relationships. I mean half the time, I still think I’m a big kid myself so I just kinda like to talk to y’all and hear what you have to say.”

 Wingspan: Are there any memorable teaching moments that come to mind? 

Bryant: “Oh gosh, this is actually only my second year but last year was pretty memorable, it was more of a coaching moment. The soccer team I was coaching won district and went undefeated which was pretty cool.”

Wingspan: You mentioned earlier that you played soccer, what got you interested in that sport?

Bryant: “Well I started playing soccer when I was about four and that’s pretty much all I did growing up, I played at a really high level, I played a little in college, then i got injured and I couldn’t play anymore. So I stopped playing after my first year in college but I just have always loved it, I’ve always done it.”

Wingspan: Do you have a preference in what age range you want to teach? 

Bryant: “I don’t really have a preference, but what I really like about the high school kids is that I can make jokes and maybe be a little sarcastic sometimes and y’all will get it, I can’t really do that with the elementary kids.”

Wingspan: What is one thing you want your students to take away from your class? 

Bryant: “One thing I want them to take away from my class. I don’t know. Just find the things you enjoy in life and focus on them, I mean I know that there are times, especially with you Pre-AP kids y’all just get so stressed out over these classes and you just, you need to find some things in your life that you enjoy too and focus on those. Don’t stress out so much.” 

Wingspan: Last question, do you see yourself teaching for the rest of your life?

Bryant: “It’s a strong possibility, I mean i can’t really say where I’ll be ten years from now but I like what I’m doing right now, so maybe hopefully!”