Our Employee of the Month is Corey Lavallais from Illinois.
Corey is punctual, responsible, and extremely flexible with all the staff he works with. He does an excellent job at leading activities, and is always engaged with his students, which has led to wonderful relationships with both students and parents alike.
Corey, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher!
To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift.
Check out our interview with Corey below:
1. Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
I am an aspiring teacher born in 2000. I was born in Chicago and plan to stay here in Illinois for a while.
2. How long have you been teaching with Apollo?
I’ve been with Apollo for 2 action packed months now.
3. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
Establishing personal connections with your students is essential.
4. How do you motivate your students to succeed?
I motivate my students by pushing them to be the best version of themselves they can be. For example, a compliment about their good behavior to push them to repeat it.
5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The ability to change the weather because I’m tired of the snow! LOL
6. What is your most memorable memory from your time as an Apollo instructor?
A 3rd grade student of mine recited 32 numbers of pi to me.
7. If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
I would spend a lot of time gaming. I’ve always loved to play video games and if I had the time I would try to play it professionally.
8. What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
When I deal with ‘handful students’ I like to reflect on when I was kid and I was a handful! Just thinking about some of the things that would calm me down or get me to listen usually also works with the students.
9. What is an unusual place you have been to?
I have been to see the Sequoia trees in California, which are essentially just GIANT trees that grow up to 8,000 feet!
10. Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I am a two-time spelling bee champion of Chicago! I won when I was 7 and 9.
11. What’s your #1 teaching tip?
Get to know your students! Knowing things like how they respond to situations, how their day has been, or even what their favorite color is can mean all the difference in being the best teacher you can be.
12. What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
Me: “Hocus Pocus”
Kids: Everybody Focus!
13. What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Apollo After School?
I play a ton of sports outside of work. I play travel ball every summer as well as running, playing basketball, golf, and tennis recreationally.
14. How do you spend your summer breaks?
I usually spend my summer directing or supervising a summer camp. Summers are also the time I like to go on vacation.
15. Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
Star wars!
16. What do you like most about working with Apollo?
I am always set up with what I need to succeed.
