By Adriana Duarte ’27
Alexandra Drezek is a a Derby Middle School (DMS), English teacher as well as a Derby High School (DHS) cheer coach. She is full of Derby spirit and impacts those around her immensely. This article will showcase the great accomplishments she has made in Derby.
“I strive everyday to give my students 110% no matter what is going on in my life in and outside of school. I believe if I can show up for them 110% every day, I can help at least one kid in one way, whether it be academically, emotionally, socially, etc.” says Drezek on what she strives to give her students. I took a trip over to the middle school and got to interview many kids about their favorite things about Drezek as well as how she has impacted them. As one of Drezek’s former students, it was nice to see how much things have changed and what the students had to say about her as a whole. When DMS eighth grader Bianca Pizarro was asked what she liked about Drezek and how Drezek impacted her, this is what she had to say, “She knows how to kind of keep a smile on our face while keeping us entertained in our work…never a dull moment in her class, she’s impacted my year by actually teaching me something meaningful, she taught me to work through challenges and she was always there when help was needed.” I asked this question continuously and I received all good results from the nine students at DHS and DMS I interviewed. DMS eighth-grade student Emma Smith said this about Drezek, “Drezek always knows when and how to help people through things or when they’re sad or upset about something she always knows because they’ll have a look on their face.”
“I love her country spirit…and I love her bubbly personality,” says Samiya Batista, DMS eighth-grade student.
Drezek has been a lifelong Derby supporter even while she was attending high school here, and even as far back as performing in Pop Warner cheer. I interviewed Drezek to get into her mind, see what drives her passion, and see what keeps her going as a teacher.
When Drezek was asked about what it was like to transition from being a Derby student to a Derby teacher, this is what she had to say, “It was a very interesting but rewarding transition for me. The transition from learning from some of my biggest mentors, to teaching alongside them as colleagues definitely took some navigating.” Furthermore, Drezek continued her reflection by shouting out the teachers who have helped guide her through her student years as well as guide her into being an amazing teacher for the kids she’s had teaching and currently have right now.
As many people know, teaching is not easy. It has its hard days and teachers are humans, just like the rest of us. I was interested to know what kept Drezek driven over these years to keep going even after countless bad days, and the stress of being a teacher. Drezek stated, “The kids and the staff. One thing I’ve always known, but have truly had the privilege of experiencing as an adult, is that Derby truly is your family. The way the students and staff rally around each other and for each other when needed, is incomparable.” This spotlights Drezek’s true love for the Derby family.
A noticeable thing about Drezek has always been her love for cheer, whether it be her remembering her amazing times as a cheerleader or her coaching Pop Warner for 3 years and DHS for 2 years, she’s always been consistent with her passion for cheerleading.
Drezek has been a lead coach for the DHS cheerleading team, with the help of their other coach, Kim Voytek. Drezek is involved in cheerleading for competition, Pop Warner cheer, football cheerleading, as well as winter cheerleading for the DHS basketball teams. When I asked Xa’riyah Mitchell ‘25 about what she liked about Drezek as a coach and the impact she has had on her life she said, “I like her charisma, her energy, and her humor, she’s been a great coach and she’s pushed me to try even when I don’t wanna try, she’s very inspirational to me, not just to me but many other girls on the team”
Drezek has had a major impact on many kids in her lifetime and I don’t think she’s going to give anything short of that in the future going forward. Drezek’s helpful personality, her drive, her charisma, her passion for cheerleading, her passion for teaching, and her resilience have given a kind of comfort to her classroom, and her presence would be home away from home for any student.
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