Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/1022678
What are your favorite things about Latin? Some of my favorite things about Latin are the richness of resources that we have access to and the willingness of the teachers to assist you if you have an idea for a new lesson or project. With help from some colleagues, my students have been able to work on art projects using a vinyl cutter in our maker space and Photoshop on their laptops. What are the best parts of your job? I enjoy being around so many students and faculty members who are always striving for their best. Even if things don't work out the way they envisioned, they are flexible to adjust what didn't work and find ways to make it go well. What are your favorite things about Latin? It's truly an exciting time to be a teacher in the upper school at Latin. We're evolving and taking risks by changing our curriculum in ways that are truly innovative. This is in large part the product of teachers who are flexible, willing to try new things and responsive to the evolving needs of our students. I love that risk-taking is encouraged, given it's a skill we hope our students have when they graduate. Russell Harris Cara Gallagher EDUCATION B.F.A. Maryland Institute College of Art M.F.A. Maryland Institute College of Art POSITION AND YEARS AT LATIN Middle and upper school visual arts, 25 years EDUCATION B.A. University of Illinois at Chicago M.A. National-Louis University POSITION AND YEARS AT LATIN History teacher, four years Why did you decide that you wanted to work at a school? Growing up, my art teachers gave me so much of their time and energy to help me be the best I can be with my passion for art. They inspired me to give back by working at a school with students that might have the same desire to do art work like I did when I was younger. My art teachers always made time to help me, so I have that in my mind when working with students today. I'll do whatever students need me to do to help them achieve their goals. What traits do you admire in others? One of the things that makes this place awesome is that there are so many positive personalities. I admire people's willingness to share what they have with others and to have a giving spirit about them. What do you enjoy most about teaching? The energy from the students, the endless possibilities of what we might discuss and engage deeply with, and the strength we draw from our communal experiences in the classroom all give me immense pleasure every day. I feel pure joy when I'm in the room with students. Why did you decide that you wanted to work at a school? After experiencing what life was like working in a cubicle for about two years after college, I knew that was not what I saw myself doing. I went back to school and received a master's in teaching and never looked back. There's nothing more tangibly rewarding than working with young adults. What traits do you admire in others? Curiosity is my number one favorite trait in any human. Any kind of curiosity — intellectual, literary, artistic, culinary — is admirable. Curious people are engaged in their environment and actively try to curate information that helps them find answers, seek knowledge and hold disparate thoughts in their mind simultaneously. They tend to be incredibly engaging and contribute to conversations, communities and society. Experience Latin | 21