Sometimes during the school week, it is easy to get stuck in our own schedule. But this week I had the pleasure of meeting 3 of our new teachers, and I can not wait for you to meet them too.
First up is Señora Floyd, Magnet’s new Spanish levels 1 and 2 teachers. After meeting with her, I can easily say Señora Floyd is one of the nicest people I have ever met. She shared with me that while her first month at Magnet has been a bit of a challenge; it’s only because her students have already achieved such a high level of understanding in her classes. She finds it exciting that the level of academics is so high because this makes teaching her classes all the more fun. Outside of the classroom, one of Señora Floyd’s favorite things about Magnet has been the artistic abilities of the students. From the amazing pieces of Wall Day during Spirit Week to the amazing artists in Battle of the Bands, Senor Floyd has had no limit to the amount of art she can enjoy on campus. She especially loves it when she is able to stop and listen to a student play piano out in the guitar hallway.
At the age of twelve, Señora Floyd moved from Ecuador to New York. Knowing very little English, one of her school’s Spanish teachers took her under their wing and taught her. This act of kindness is what inspired Señora Floyd to teach and is what drives her desire to give back. One her favorite things about being a teacher is watching her students grow. She remarks how even between freshman to sophomore year she can see the growth of confidence in her students.
One thing that surprised her about Magnet was the interconnectivity amongst the teachers. It has been one of her greatest joys to be able to reach out and collaborate with the fellow teachers in her department. But beyond her own classroom, one thing that Señora Floyd wants the Magnet students to know about her is that she wants to meet everyone; not just the students in her class. So next time you see Señora Floyd in the hallways, stop and say hi.
The second new teacher I got to meet this week was Profesora Barba, Magnet’s new Spanish levels 2 and 3 teacher. After talking with Professora Barba, I can confidently say that she is an amazing addition to our wonderful Spanish department.
Over the past 8 weeks, Profesora Barba has decided her favorite thing about Magnet is sharing her love of her class and its culture with her students. She has learned that in order to embrace a culture fully, you have to also embrace that language, the people, and everything else that comes with it. And if you remain open minded and understand that everyone is interconnected, a new language can open that door to many different opportunities. The moment that students start to understand the culture behind the language and grammar is Profesora Barba’s favorite part of her job. She also wants to make sure all of her students know that it is ok to make mistakes in her class.
Profesora Barba’s favorite tradition at Magnet so far has been Spirit Week, specifically Wall Day. She recalls the day that students from all grades were allowed to stay after school to set up the wall, and how they stayed late just so that they could help. She said that you could see the sense of belonging on everyone’s faces. Another one of her favorite traditions at Magnet so far was the signing of the benches. Though it is a new tradition, Profesora Barba stated how special it was that years from now students would be able to come back and find their names. These connections to the community of this school are what make Magnet so unique, and this is why Professora Barba loves them.
Connection is a huge aspect in Profesora Barba’s teaching. When asked what had made her want to work in education, she stated that it was the connections that last beyond the time her students share with her in her classroom and beyond graduation.
Make sure to stop by Professora Barba’s office in the guitar hallway to say hi to Profesora Barba.
(go read about Dr. Whipple in my other article)
