Hometown: Laguna Niguel, California

Current Program: Masters in Arts of Teaching (MAT), for secondary English

Undergraduate Concentration/Major: B.A. in English Literature at Boston College

Favorite Spot on Campus: A cozy booth in the Blue Room!

When did you know you wanted to become a teacher? 
I toyed with the idea of becoming a teacher for years. However, it wasn't until I tutored at a local learning center in my hometown that I began to fall in love with helping others analyze literature. I think I have a knack for making complex ideas easy to understand. Teaching would allow me to marry my love of literature and my love of helping others succeed in the classroom. 

What drew you to the MAT program and to Brown?
After completing my undergraduate degree at Boston College, I knew I wanted to stay on the east coast. Brown's MAT program was small in size, social justice focused, and allowed for a full year immersion as a student teacher. At Admitted Student's Day, I got a feel not only for the professors' passion for teaching but the entire MAT community's strong, intimate bonds with one another. This feeling of community not only drew me into the program but has grown stronger since my start in June.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I plan on teaching high school ELA in the greater Boston area at a private or charter school. Ideally, I would love to teach British, American, or World Literature!

— interview by Kevin Madoian MAT'20