Faculty Focus is a campaign that highlights the powerhouse of St. Pius X High School: our incredible Faculty! These men and women work hard every day to make sure our students are well-served — through the student experience to graduation and beyond. Faculty Focus is their time to shine! This year we will be highlighting "A Look Inside the Classroom".
Throughout the year we will feature our faculty members, who will share their experiences, philosophies, and a peek inside their classroom. Be sure to check back often to view the highlighted Faculty member.
Why did you choose to be an English teacher?
I went into college undecided in what my major would be so I took a handful of different types of classes. The ones I liked the best were my English classes and I knew I would be comfortable in a school environment. I liked that everyone could read the same thing and then have tons of different opinions about it.
Favorite lesson (or book) to teach?
My speciality is Shakespeare which is everyone else's opposite of speciality. So my favorite thing to teach is Macbeth because everyone hates it at first but then by the end people are like, "okay that was a good story" (some people still hate it, but hey, you can't win them all). And I get chances to blurt out long chunks of Shakespeare I have memorized which is nice because sometimes I come off like a bimbo so those moments are good reminders to people that I actually know stuff.
What is your favorite part about working for St. Pius X?
I like that the teachers and students really work well together. It's not a "students versus teachers" mentality. We are working together on books and papers and projects. Sometimes students are surprised to hear that I read all the same assignments I give them for class, and while I may have Macbeth memorized I'm not that good where I've got every book down pat so all of us are literally on the same page.
What does your typical day at St. Pius X look like?
I'm very much a morning person so I like to get to school early to get settled in and get all my supplies ready for the day before the students arrive. Mr. Taylor will come talk to me for a while about Fleetwood Mac or whatever sitcom he is rewatching at the moment. Ms. Wencker will come find me to go over what she's worried about that day. I'll go to youtube and pick out a new scenic relaxing background to cast to my big screen tv for the day. I teach the seniors and juniors so we'll spend class writing or looking at each other's writing or having discussions about the book they're reading at that time. Then at lunch I'll absentmindedly shred an orange peel at my desk while staring into the distance. In the afternoon it's more writing and literary analysis and then I head home to walk my dog and listen to podcasts about tennis and Scientology.
Why did you choose to be an English teacher?
I have always enjoyed literature and working with young adults, so for me, teaching Englishseemed like a good fit.
Favorite lesson (or book) to teach?
It’s difficult to pick a favorite book. The Great Gatsby or Of Mice and Men are two favorites which I teach.
What is your favorite part about working for St. Pius X?
I love being back and teaching at my old high school. It is a surreal experience. I also like how the school has allowed me to build my curriculum. I am able to teach the classics, but also mix in modern literature. Finally, I appreciate the higher standard we hold the kids to at St. Pius X. I think this puts them in a better position to be successful in life once they complete high school.
What does your typical day at St. Pius X look like?
A typical day in my room can look like a lot of things. Some days we are reading and taking a quiz. Other times we might be holding a Socratic discussion, or watching a film version of the novel to better understand the material. Near the end of a unit we might be writing papers or working on a project. I try to vary how I teach so the students are not simply doing the same thing over and over.
