One of Southern Lehigh’s new teachers this year just so happens to be the JV girls basketball coach. Civics and Government teacher Ms. Erin Laney looks forward to being a basketball coach as well as seeing how her students progress throughout the year.

“I expect this year to be challenging for me personally, but still rewarding and fun,” Ms. Laney said. “I love the feeling of trying to get a student to understand something.”

Ms. Laney grew up in Connecticut and then went to Muhlenberg College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and American Studies. She holds her teaching certificate in fourth to eighth grade social studies, seventh to twelfth grade social studies and kindergarten through fifth grade Spanish.

“She brings new ideas and lots of enthusiasm to Southern Lehigh,” social studies teacher Mr. David Krial said.

Ms. Laney is now taking classes at Lehigh University toward her Master of Education degree with a concentration in instructional technology. She enjoys learning and helping others learn.

“I love being able [form] relationships with the students and to be able to be myself at work,” Ms. Laney said.

Outside of school, she likes to run marathons, coach basketball, spend time with friends and cook when she has the time. She also loves to watch “Game of Thrones,” “Orange is the New Black,” and “House of Cards.”

Ms. Laney was the student commencement speaker at her graduation from Muhlenberg College, and while there she played every game of basketball they had during her seasons.

Her goal is to try to change the way students perceive school. Ms. Laney tries to be as energetic as possible to reinforce that education can be exciting. She never thought of herself as anything but a teacher.

“She is very animated and it keeps my attention,” freshmen Faith Cameron said. “She does not just make us look at the board and copy down notes.”