Meet our new AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, and Creative writing teacher: Katie Messerly!  

Messerly grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Ill., and attended college at Oklahoma State University, where she majored in secondary English education. Following college, she started her teaching career at Bishop Kelly, where she spent two years teaching freshmen and sophomores. She then earned her master’s degree in English literature from the University of Tulsa.  Knowing she wanted to teach abroad, she got a job teaching in Seoul, South Korea, for two years. This experience fueled her love for travel and being immersed in new cultures. She believes her time in Korea and travelling has made some of the most significant impacts on her.  

“If you want to learn something live in a different culture,” Messerly said. 

 Finally, she returned to Oklahoma and taught at Harding Fine Arts Academy for six years. 

Messerly said she always knew that teaching was for her. She briefly considered a career in nursing, inspired by her mother, who is a nurse, but quickly realized it was not the path for her. She describes teaching as being “in her DNA.” Her first jobs were teaching swimming lessons and English language learner classes. Even now, Messerly can’t imagine being fulfilled by any other career. 

It was her sophomore English teacher who sparked her desire to teach. She admired his straightforward yet entertaining style of teaching.

Messerly describes her teaching philosophy as “giving my students voices, exposing them to as much as I can, and letting them work through it.”

She aims to motivate her students to form their own beliefs and take ownership over what they do. 

The daily back-and-forth between students is Messerly’s favorite part of teaching. She treasures building relationships with her students and creating a dynamic, engaging classroom environment.  

The transition to Harding Charter Preparatory High School has been smooth for Messerly. She says she has felt very supported. The school’s structure and clearly defined expectations are aspects she really enjoys.

She was pleasantly surprised that even with an Advanced Placement focus, there is a “chill vibe underneath it and still this building of the Eagle community.”  

The best advice she has received is “learning to accept that things are fine.” Messerly emphasizes the importance of separating work and home life and said that investing in other aspects of her life has become a big focus. 

The depth of teaching she is able to reach in AP classes and the connections that students are able to make at the AP level contribute to Messerly’s choice to teach AP courses. She enjoys how students at this age are able to form their own opinions. Messerly also enjoys the attitude and sass that comes with high school students and could never see herself teaching middle or elementary school. 

“I would hate to make kids cry” Messerly said, explaining how that age rage simply doesn’t suit her personality.  

Messerly’s “North Star” is making sure students feel ready for their next year of education, whether that be senior year or college. She wants them to be able to communicate clearly, stand their ground, and leave her class with confidence. She carries this to her family and relationships beyond school.  

Messerly enjoys a range of literature. She finds comfort in her childhood favorites like “A Wrinkle in Time,” “The Phantom Tollbooth,” “The Book Thief,” and the “Harry Potter” series while also enjoying nonfiction on finance and economics. When she needs a “brain break,” she turns to fantasy and dystopian fiction and says the “Fourth Wing” series by Rebecca Yarros is among her current favorites.  

Outside of school Messerly enjoys adventure. She recalled going skydiving at the age of 18. She has been playing the flute for about 14 years and is in her second year of playing with the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band.  

Above all, Messerly wants her students to know that it’s okay not to have all the answers.  

“You are not by yourself trying to succeed,” she said, adding that learning to ask for help is a vital skill to develop now, because you’ll need it your entire life. She hopes to build students’ confidence, so they feel prepared to face challenges, even without a teacher’s support.