New Teacher Feature⼁Introducing Teresa L.
At Pacific Preparatory, we are so lucky to work with the most thoughtful and inspiring instructors, all who bring lessons to life with engaging connections to student interests and their community. This month, we are excited to introduce Teresa!
Teresa (she/her/hers) holds a B.F.A. in Drama from New York University and a M.S.Ed. in Adolescent Education with a concentration in English from St. John's University. While at St. John's, she was the recipient of the Adolescent Education Award. She has been teaching English/language arts to students in 4th-8th grade students since 2011, and is certified to teach English K-12. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, seeing theater, and spending time with her husband and two children. With Tutor Corps and Pacific Preparatory, Teresa teaches K-12 English.
When did you start teaching and why?
I started teaching middle school English/language arts in 2011. Since I was very young, I dreamed of being a teacher and helping students reach their fullest potential. I took a circuitous path to get there, as my undergraduate degree is in drama, but I have found that my theatrical skills have been hugely beneficial when it comes to engaging students. It's not uncommon to see my students singing, dancing, or performing a scene in order to learn new grammar or reading comprehension skills...even on Zoom!
What brought you to teaching with Pacific Preparatory?
After teaching in a wonderful public school for many years, I knew that I wanted to have the opportunities to make my curriculum more customized and spend more quality time with my family. Teaching at Pacific Preparatory allows for both. In terms of curriculum at PacPrep, I have the freedom to use my expertise to utilize the resources I know will be both helpful for and interesting to my students. The trust the school places in teachers as experts not only means a lot, but also encourages me to be as creative as possible in meeting a student's needs. I also appreciate the flexibility of the schedule, as I have more time to connect with my children, who are growing way too quickly!
What is prepping for your PacPrep students like?
Prepping for my PacPrep students involves careful consideration of their interests, learning preferences, and skill levels. None of my classes look exactly the same, as the resources I select are chosen specifically for each student. This is a huge advantage of the 1:1 model, as I have the ability to meet students exactly where they are, as opposed to making them try to fit the mold within a district curriculum. I spend a lot of time researching, looking through materials I've used with success in the past, talking to librarians about their latest recommendations, training in online learning tools, and trading ideas with other expert educators.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of teaching?
Outside of teaching, I love to travel! I try to visit new countries every opportunity I get, as I always return home refreshed, inspired, and uplifted by our shared human connection. This year, I am daydreaming about visiting Portugal or Norway!
Teresa, we and your students are so lucky to have you on our team!