"I'm just here so I won't get fined." -Marshawn Lynch, 2015

Lee Carter is entering his eighth year at Galileo, teaching a range of science classes including IB Biology I and II, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology, Advanced/Honors Biology, Non-Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Advanced Environmental Science, and Advanced Environmental Studies.  They keep him VERY busy with five different classes every day this school year while sponsoring the Galileo chapter of the National Beta Club and winning state championships as the assistant coach of Galileo's cross country and track teams. Carter attended Danville Community College and then transferred to Averett University for his bachelors and masters degrees.  Carter also has experience working in the laboratory at Tyton BioEnergy Systems as a Research Associate, Safety Manager, and Intern Supervisor.

What hobbies do you have outside of work?

I like to work on houses, particularly my house on Main Street that I am still working on to this day that completely wears me out. But it’s fun working on it even if it's tiring. I also love decorating for Halloween, it's the best holiday out there by far.

What is your biggest achievement in your life?

Being the first person in Galileo history, as a student, to score a 600 on the biology SOL. I like to rub that in the faces of my biology students to provide that extra little bit of motivation. Plus the second ever 600 was also one of my biology students.

What is your favorite memory at Galileo?

The cross country team winning the state championship; it was very intense and stressful too. I have to mislead people every now and then, just occasionally, so the team came and didn’t know where they had finished; they didn’t have access to the results. I knew they had won, so I told them “Second place. That’s respectable, better than we’ve ever done, you all worked your butts off, don’t be disappointed.” So as we were approaching the stage, they all thought that they finished in second place. So then they called out the team that came in second place, and they were expecting to hear Galileo, but it was not called. Then they all started freaking out cause they realized I had slightly misled them.

What is your most scary, funny, or embarrassing moment at Galileo?

The second Halloween party at Galileo, I proposed to my then-girlfriend in front of everyone at the Halloween party. I was thanking everybody who helped put the party together, and I called my then-girlfriend up to thank her. Well as I started to call her up, some students started chanting “Marry her! Marry her!”. Now, I was already going to do this, but just imagine if I called her out there with no plans of proposing, no ring in my pocket, and everybody starts chanting that. That would have been embarrassing.

What teacher would you want to be your sibling and why?

I'd have to go with Jared R. Smith. Even though he’s older than me and thus being my bigger brother, we all know he’d be the little brother in this relationship.

What piece of advice do you wish you had during high school?

I wish that I had been more knowledgeable about things that students could pursue outside of your typical college education. I try to bring that to my students, like “hey you don’t have to have a four-year or eight-year degree.” There's other avenues out there where you can be prosperous and enjoy life that doesn't result in getting tens of thousands of dollars in college debt.

What is an unpopular (non-political) opinion you have?

Professional wrestling is awesome.

What is your motto in life?

Hard work pays off. Dreams come true. Bad times don’t last, but bad guys do.