Interview with Ms. V
What is your favorite part about Browning?
This one’s easy - the people! From the day I arrived here, I’ve been struck by the amazing warmth of this community. Everyone, from my colleagues to students to families is genuinely invested in caring for one another. This community is a really special one, and it makes my work all the more fulfilling.
2. Why did you want to first come to Browning?
I had been at Collegiate since graduate school, so given that I had been there for eleven years, it was just time for a change.
3. Did you ever have a mentor and if so who was it and what did they do?
I was lucky enough to have several truly wonderful mentors, but the one who stands out is my friend, Bill Hill. He was the English Department Chair at Collegiate who hired me, and he’s smart, funny, and just the best. Back in 2006, I was about to graduate from my masters program and had almost no teaching experience, but Bill took a chance on me. Not only did he give me a job, he taught sixth grade with me that first year, so he really walked through my first year of teaching right next to me, co-planning the English 6 curriculum and offering support and encouragement when I needed it. We went on to co-teach English 6, 7, and 8 together at various points over the years, and developing that middle school curriculum with him is still one of the best experiences of my professional life.
4. What was your favorite subject growing up in school? Was it English or did it change?
I wish I could work against type here, but yes, English was my favorite subject in high school. My love for studying literature didn’t change, but in college I added another interest and double-majored in English and political science.
5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor and why?
Oh man, I can’t choose just one! It depends on my mood. I suppose my perennial favorite is Hagen Daaz coffee ice cream.
6. Do you have preference on planners?
Honestly, I am always on the hunt for the perfect planner, and up until now I’ve changed planners once or twice a year at least. In a perfect world, I’d design my own planner, so I could keep my class schedule, my lesson planning, and my note-taking all in the same place, but I have yet to find one that will do that the way I want to. At the moment, I favor the Moleskine daily planner, but it gets pretty close.
7. What is your favorite part about being head of the English Department?
My favorite part of being department chair is definitely getting to support my team. As I’m sure you and your readers have noticed, the English Department is made up of six of the most talented teachers and genuinely awesome people I’ve even worked with, and as their chair, I get
8. What is your choice: essay or AP? Also, which is better? Your Opinion.
Interesting question - I suppose the answer depends on the grade level. When it comes to teaching kids to write critically about literature, I think the AP
9. Did you play any sports as a kid?
I did! I was obsessed with volleyball and played for my school teams from seventh through twelfth grades. I was a terrible basketball player from sixth through eighth grades, played softball and tennis, and I skied and rode horses competitively.
10. Do you enjoy proctoring Monthly Panther?
I love it! There’s something really powerful about giving kids a voice through student journalism. You guys are so excited about the work - it’s a really fun energy to be around!