To understand what makes Mrs. Niles such a great teacher, it’s important to first look at her background. Holly Niles, GHS gym teacher said, “I knew I wanted to coach volleyball and I figured that in order to do that, I should start with coaching a gym class.” Niles then went on to coach varsity volleyball, softball, and freshmen basketball. “I’ve always taught at Galena school districts, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot so far.”
One of the main things that Niles does is always being positive. Ava Engle ‘27 said, “She’s so respectful and really likes to keep you on track. She helps with our athleticism quite a bit.” This is relatively clear when you see kids running on the track and in the gym. It shows how much Niles truly cares for these kids’ health. Sabine Blaum ‘27 said, “I remember seeing her ask people or even me if I was okay during class, and it made me feel really appreciated.”
It’s obvious that Niles not only cares about her job and these kids, but also about fitness in general. Engle ‘27 said, “We do a lot of running and weightlifting in the beginning,” you can usually see kids running laps around the track or hear them in the gym, “I don’t like doing it here and there, but I remember that I should be grateful for this opportunity since it’s helping me.” This is something that Niles really encourages people to think about; it’s an opportunity that will help students’ fitness and overall health. Vanesa Vazquez ‘27 said, “I’ve always seen her with a smile on her face, I feel like she’s always there to help someone if they need it.”
However, her positive energy doesn’t just stop there. Karisa Hendricks, GHS teacher said, “Niles is an incredibly loyal friend and is amazing at noticing when someone isn’t feeling the best.” This seems to be one of Niles’ key traits. Brooke Deppe, GHS counselor said, “I think she does a really good job at noticing how kids are doing and if somethings wrong,” it’s relevantly clear that Niles’ goes beyond her job to make sure the kids in her class are doing okay, “I wish I had a teacher like her when I was growing up.” It’s clear that what Niles is doing is amazing, and that she’s going beyond the gym to help her students
