Interview with Ms. Ma

Andrew Berti, a member of the Monthly Panther, interviewed Ms. Ma about her first year at Browning and a few other topics as well. The questions and answers are below:

Andrew: What has been your most enjoyable experience at Browning this year? 

Ms. Ma: My most enjoyable experience at Browning this year was Field Day because after a whole year of learning together we have a day outside where the whole school from kindergarten to twelfth grade comes together. It is really special! I really love the color cores and I hope we can continue them. One memorable moment was when the first graders were doing the tug of war and the twelfth graders were cheering for them. Seeing that was so beautiful and inspiring.

Andrew: What is your favorite quote?

Ms. Ma: My favorite quote is written by Maya Angelou.

Andrew: What school did you work at before Browning? 

Ms. Ma: It’s called the Presidio Knolls School, and it’s in San Francisco. 

Andrew: What is your favorite book? 

Ms. Ma: It is hard to pick one favorite book. I generally prefer non-fiction to fiction. One book that I would recommend to Browning boys is called Plato and Platypus Walk into a Bar, and it is about philosophy and jokes. 

Andrew: What are you planning to do for the summer? 

Ms. Ma: I am planning to go back to China this summer so that I can see my family. During the Covid pandemic, I was not able to go see my family because it was not worth taking a plane and then having to quarantine for 14-21 days. The tickets were extremely expensive and I could not take all of that time off from work. So now during the summer, because of the removal of the quarantine restrictions I am now able to see my family after 4 years. 

Andrew: Do you have a favorite music genre or song or artist, if so why? 

Ms. Ma: My favorite music right now is music from Broadway shows. Most recently, I have been listening to Funny Girl and Into the Woods. Listening to the soundtrack after seeing a show on stage allows me to relive my favorite moments when I am watching the show. 

Andrew: How did you adjust to living in New York? What is your favorite part of living in New York?

Ms. Ma: I love the cultural diversity of New York! I am doing a personal project where I try to experience as many countries as possible in New York City. I discovered a great Guatemalan restaurant in Brooklyn called Ix, and I went for a concert with the São Paulo Orchestra. Browning boys come from many cultures, and I saw many of them showcased during World Celebration Night. If you have recommendations about something I should try in your culture, please email me and let me know! 

Andrew: What are you looking forward to the most in the next school year?

Ms. Ma: I will be teaching a section of 6th grade history and I am excited about collaborating with Mr. Weiss on the curriculum.