By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

The halls of Thompson High School are very familiar to first-year teacher Audra Faust as she was a graduate there in 2008.

Then, after four years at Samford University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in family studies.

In 2014 she graduated from the University of Montevallo with a master’s degree in secondary education.

Now, a new hire, she is back at her alma mater as an Education Academy and Family Consumer Science teacher.

While a Thompson High student, Faust was involved with the Warriorettes Dance Team.

Her love of dancing is obvious as she is currently involved in Zumba (dance, fitness and cardio) at the Helena Health Club, the Vive Jam Crew at Studio Vive (for Zumba instructors) and only recently resigned from Dance Etc after six years.

“I just couldn’t fit it all in,” says Faust.

So many obligations – school, helping with the family business (Alabaster Florist), co-sponsor of Future Teachers of America and Family Career and Community Leaders of America, choreographing for the Warriorettes and attending First Baptist Church of Alabaster keep Faust “on her toes.”

“What I love most about my job is that every day is different. There is never a dull day with high school students,” says Faust.

Faust said last year she and her parents (she is an only child) took a most memorable trip to view New England in the fall.

They visited Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“It was beautiful – someplace I had never been,” she said.

Faust says, “It makes my day when students are successful! I enjoy holding them to high expectations. I love to watch them grow and improve, whether that is in academics, extra-curricular activities or even something more simplistic like their soft skills. When you truly invest in others, the satisfaction that you gain will always outweigh the effort that you expend.”

One of Faust’s favorite verses from the Bible reads, “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created” (Esther 4-14).