Catheryn Homan didn’t plan on becoming a teacher. With a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from SIUE and one year of doctoral study in physical therapy, her early focus was on anatomy, biology, and healthcare. But when she realized patient care wasn’t her calling, she returned home to Newton to regroup. Her dad suggested she try substitute teaching while she figured out her next step. That single suggestion changed everything.

“I ended up really loving substituting,” Homan says. What started as a temporary job became a pathway into education. After gaining steady experience,  she began a master’s program with Grand Canyon University, earned her teaching license, and today serves as Jasper County’s only long-term  substitute teacher.

Homan’s current assignment has her teaching Math 1 for freshmen and Practical Math courses for upperclassmen, even though her license is in biology. That said, Homan has versatility across a range of subject areas and is at the ready as needed in virtually any classroom. “It keeps me on my toes,” she says with a smile. “Freshmen especially.” Though the transition from life science to algebra, and more, might sound daunting, Homan approaches it with determination, knowing that consistency and a supportive presence matter as much as subject expertise.

Her philosophy is rooted in positivity. “It’s not for the faint of heart,” she admits. “But I think it’s for the lighthearted. You have to be positive about it to keep the kids motivated.” That belief shows in how she works with freshmen navigating the leap into high school—students who are learning study habits, adjusting to new expectations, and realizing how much their grades can influence athletics and other opportunities.

Homan is quick to break down the idea that studying is just “working harder.” Instead, she helps her students practice the right steps, whether that means laying out equations in math, repeating concepts in biology, or drawing diagrams to reinforce learning. She stresses fundamentals: multiplication tables, order of operations, and cleanly written steps that make problem-solving easier. “There are basics you have to memorize before you can apply them critically,” she says.

While lesson planning consumes plenty of her mental energy, Homan finds joy in the small victories—students who begin to believe in their own ability, classrooms that slowly find their rhythm, and moments when math starts to click. “Every day, kids need little things—attention, guidance, encouragement,” she explains. “Meeting those needs keeps me moving, and it becomes worth it when they say thank you.”

Her journey also highlights a broader challenge in education: the shortage of licensed math teachers. Jasper County has been seeking a permanent math teacher since Sandy Webb’s retirement in the spring of 2024. Homan stepped into the gap, offering stability while the district searches for a long-term solution. She sees herself as part of that stopgap, not a replacement. “They’re always looking for the best possible candidate,” she says. “At the end of the day, it’s about what serves kids best.”

Her heart, though, still leans toward biology. She envisions herself teaching anatomy, physiology, or general life sciences in the years ahead. For now, she is gaining valuable classroom experience while anchoring a crucial role for the district.

When asked what makes Newton special, Homan answers without hesitation: the people. “The administration is supportive, the teachers help each other, and the kids have good hearts,” she says. “Some have had difficult influences in their lives, but they’re reaching the point where they’re starting to make their own choices. The support system here helps push them in a good direction.”

Her words reflect a deep faith in her students’ character. “Their hearts want to do well in school. They want to be good people,” she says. It’s a perspective shaped by both science and experience: growth takes time, structure, and encouragement.

Catheryn Homan may not have started her journey with teaching in mind, but today, standing in front of her classroom with algebra on the board and freshmen in the seats, she has found her place.