Patch caught up with fourth-grade teacher Laura Senchak in January at Richard Henry Lee.

I stopped her to ask Five Questions.

Glen Burnie Patch: How long have you been in education?
Laura Senchak: This is my eighth year that I've been down here teaching in Maryland. In Pennsylvania I substituted for, like, two years. I had long-term sub jobs and went in on a daily basis to substitute.

Glen Burnie Patch: What made you decide to become a teacher?
Senchak: I just always liked working with kids. Just liking to teach them and just to see that they learn something, it just really motivated me to want to help them and to be a teacher.

Glen Burnie Patch: Did you substitute at all grade levels? How did you decide to teach at the elementary school level?
Senchak: I subbed from kindergarten and I would even do some middle school, too. I did some [subbing] at eighth grade. I just like the younger kids and—not that in eighth grade they're not learning anything new—but just the fact that you really shape them and help them to be really good learners and to be respectful. I taught second grade here for five years. I really enjoy teaching kids how to learn to read. And now, to me, it's a lot of fun to help them be aware of what they're understanding, what they're reading and take it to the next level.

Glen Burnie Patch: Where did you go to high school? College? What degree do you hold?
Senchak: I went to high school and college in Pennsylvania. I went to Wyoming Valley West [High School] in Plymouth, PA. I went to College Misericordia in Dallas, PA, [and have a degree] in elementary education.

Glen Burnie Patch: What do you like to do in your free time?
Senchak: I love to watch sports and to play with my dog, Trooper, and take him for walks.