In her fourth grade classroom, Heather Cutrer encourages growth and strength by allowing her students to embrace and learn from their mistakes. Cutrer has taught for a total of 33 years, 30 of those being at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, where she helps The Lower School Match Club and The Mu Alpha Theta Math Tournament.
What was your favorite subject growing up? Math.
What clubs and extracurriculars did you take part of as a student? I was on the tennis and swim team. When I was five, I started swimming competitively. In high school, I was very involved in Key Club and Beta Club, and my senior year, I served as the Student Body President for Student Council.
Who influenced you to go into teaching? My fourth-grade teacher and mom, Mrs. Betty Harpole.
What is your favorite part of your daily teaching life? Witnessing the “aha” moment! I just love watching their faces and seeing the exact moment when the concepts click!
How many years have you been teaching? I have taught for 33 years; 30 years at Episcopal.
In what ways are you active in your school’s community? The Lower School Math Club and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Tournament. I volunteer at events such as Knights Under the Stars and Karnival Knight. I enjoy cheering for our Knights from the sidelines, and attend as many theatre, drama, and dance performances as my schedule allows.
What is something interesting about you that your students would be surprised to learn? I have traveled to five of the seven continents. South America is on my bucket list, but Antarctica is not. Seeing that I already wear multiple layers of clothing in the classroom to keep warm, this shouldn’t surprise my students.
If you could pass along one piece of advice to your students, what would it be? “If you try hard things, life will be easy. If you only do easy things, life will be hard.” I frequently share this perspective with my students. In math, mistakes signify effort. Personally, it means being honest, trustworthy, and supportive as a student and friend. In extracurricular activities, it encourages growth and resilience.
