Here at MHS Mrs. Gibala is known as the feisty librarian who loves cats, but there is much more to this teacher’s media assistant. If anyone actually sat down and had a conversation with her, they would see what a kind person she really is.

Teresa Gibala has been working here at Monroe High for 18 years. “I love what I do, I’ve always wanted to work with kids,” she said, “I work with the technology and the kids; every day is different, so I stay busy.” She said she has such a passion for what she does that she plans on staying here until she retires.

But working is a very small part of her grand life; she has been married for 28 years. Her husband Walter is from Poland and she has visited him nine times. They have attended 4 Polish festivals and placed in competitions for authentic Polish dancing.  In Poland, they won first place out of 3000 couples, for their authentic Polish dancing. They had the trophy donated to the Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas. Since then, they have stopped competing but still travel across the nation to perform.

Quite infamous throughout the school for her love of cats, she only has one. “Mr. Tibeazor” is her one and only furry friend. He was a stray that showed up at her house, and they didn’t know if he was going to stay.

“So to be or not to be was the question, if he was going to stay and that’s where he got his name,” Gilabla said. Growing up she says she “always had a cat with her; I grew up in the country so stray animals were always around.” When asked why she prefers cats over dogs she answered, “Dogs are okay but cats, you can just pick up and cuddle with.”

When talking to Gibala, she is sweeter than she is often portrayed by griping students. “I’m not really that mean. Years later the kids who gave me trouble are my buds because they realize I’m trying to help.”