Some teachers learn to teach in college. Others start a little earlier.

“I remember my oldest sister used to teach me and my dolls and then it was almost as like I graduated from that and started teaching my own dolls,” Ellis said. “I think pretending to teach each other is really one of my strongest memories.”

Angie Ellis, new math teacher, is a graduate from Oklahoma State University as well as Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. A former ballroom dancer and travel lover, Ellis still manages to take the time out in her career to teach HCP students different ways to learn math.

“Hopefully that I’ll make an impact, I want to see students I’ve taught one year and go on five years from now have a great career and do something great,” Ellis said.

Ellis completed a four year program and student teaching at OSU in secondary education. While in high school she was a member of the pom squad and soccer team, and in college was quite active in non-competitive sports.

“I played every intramural that existed,” Ellis said.

Ellis was also a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

She says a difficult part of her job is the attitude from the students because not all students like math but what she loves about it is hearing a student say, “I get it.”

“They’re not the first student to struggle in a class and won’t be the last but, there are other kids that put in the work and did well. And I think every student has that opportunity if they want it,” Ellis said. “That’s one of the most rewarding things ever.”