About Mrs. Hughey
I find it's easier to get to know students better if you know a little bit about me first.
I was born in a small town in Missouri in 1974. In elementary school, I moved to Clearwater, Florida, where I attended school at Plumb Elementary, Oak Grove Middle, and Clearwater High School. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from CHS in 1992.
I first attended college at Northeast Missouri State University (now called Truman State University), where I majored in broadcast journalism and minored in theatre. Although I only attended school there for a year and a half, I was very involved with the university. I was the university's mascot (I wore a big dog costume to sporting events and such), involved in political and environmental groups, news anchor for the college's television news show, and a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.
In 1995 I transferred to St. Petersburg Junior College (now St. Petersburg College) where I completed an A.A. in Communications. I completed my B.S. in journalism at Florida State University in 1997, where I worked at the university's student-run radio station as the news director. My first after-college job was at a regional magazine and affiliated radio show, where I was a graphic designer and reporter.
After working as a journalist for a short time, I found myself unhappy with my career. I wanted a job that would not only make me happy and allow me to settle down with my new husband, but I also wanted a job that would really make a direct difference in people's lives. I thought long and hard about what career I wanted to choose, and seriously considered going to medical school. But the more I thought about my own life, the more I discovered that it was teachers who helped me through some of my toughest times and made the biggest impact on my life. So I decided to become an English teacher.
I attended graduate school at the University of South Florida and, in May of 2001, finished my Masters of Arts in English Education. I completed my internship teaching 11th grade English at Armwood High School, where I became famous for teaching students about film and for "Coffeehouse Fridays." I then moved on to Brandon High School in the fall of 2001, where I taught drama.
Toward the end of the 2001-2002 school year, my husband was accepted to graduate school at one of the oldest and best universities in the world - University of Oxford in Oxford, England. So, that summer, Mr. Hughey and I moved from Tampa to England, where he studied Medieval Archaeology. We lived in a tiny apartment with no phone or TV. I wrote a novel and worked part time at the famous Bodleian Library. My husband worked hard on his degree. We both enjoyed the experience of living in another country and learned a great deal. Plus we made some wonderful friends.
Mr. Hughey completed his degree and we both moved back to Florida, where I was very happy to be offered another teaching position at BHS. Since then I have taught a variety of classes, including TV production, reading, critical thinking, English II and English II Honors. I currently teach English III Honors (American Studies), AP English Language and Composition, and the school newspaper.
In addition to my teaching duties, I am a club sponsor, a Nationally Board Certified teacher, assistant English department head, involved with the National Council of Teachers of English, and a certified intern supervisor for the school district. In my spare time I enjoy watching films, reading, listening to music, eating out, and travelling.