Name: Nora Pace
Hometown: Park Ridge, Illinois
Program: Master of Arts in Teaching ‘15
Education: BA English and History from The College of William & Mary ‘14
Current Position: High school English teacher at The Greene School, West Greenwich, RI

Looking back, what was the most memorable or impactful part of your experience in the MAT program?
My experience at Brown allowed me to see myself for the first time as a teacher. I had never taught before I entered the program, although it had always been what I wanted to do. I did not know if I had the capacity, the strength, or the creativity needed to live out this dream career in my life. When I started teaching at Brown Summer High School, I started to become a professional, adult, capable version of myself, and recognized the internal abilities that I had: the natural ability to connect with students, my radical love for justice, the self-awareness to be reflective about my practice, and the curiosity and creativity to analyze the learning process and improve upon it. I view teaching as my gift and my calling, and Brown was the place that made that real for me.

Can you share a specific moment, project, or lesson from the program that has stuck with you throughout your career?
I think the most valuable part of the program is the aspect of mentorship that it provides. I had such a positive and fun experience in my student teaching placement, and I really loved my mentor teacher, Pete Boland at Beacon Charter School. There was a week during student teaching when I was sick with tonsillitis, and I remember being on the phone with Pete, feeling so guilty and worried that I would have to miss school. His response was, “No problem. We got you.” and he took back my classes for those days. I didn’t know it at the time, but he used those class periods to have each of my students write me a personalized recommendation letter, which I used in my early job interviews. I have been lucky to have many wonderful mentors, but this moment helped me realize that this is what teachers do - we cover for each other, we help each other without hope of reward or praise. We are the grassroots force behind the greatness of education.

What have you been doing professionally since graduating, and how has your career evolved over time?
This is my 11th year teaching, and I have worked in various school settings. I have taught every year from 8th grade to 12th grade and have worked with adults as well. I now teach high school English at The Greene School (a small, state-wide public charter in West Greenwich), and I get the most enjoyment out of working with my seniors on their college essays and AP Literature work.

Over time, I have been able to take on leadership roles. I currently manage the Crew program at TGS, through which our students form a 4-year mini-community with their peers and a crew leader. The position challenges my brain to think systemically across the whole school planning crew curriculum, managing the portfolio system, and even planning for our annual whole-school hiking and camping trip. I also get to engage in restorative work and help these student groups overcome conflicts and thrive, as well as supporting teachers. I also get to mentor early career teachers through the Brown MAT Induction Mentorship Program, at my school, teaching education classes at RIC, and through my work with the Rhode Island Writing Project. I hope to give back what I received years ago.

Which skills or lessons from the MAT program have been most valuable to you in your career, and how have you applied them?
I think one of the biggest challenges for teachers is classroom management, and the approach I learned in the MAT program has served me well. I believe very strongly in restorative practices and the importance of relationship building. I remember Professor Laura Snyder telling us in class that the great thing about teaching is that you always have another day. If you say the wrong thing, or a conversation with a student goes sour, or you react too harshly, you can come back the next day and repair it. I think young people find it radically refreshing when adults apologize to them or even just talk to them like real people. These days I find that I have the ability to form a positive relationship with almost every student, even those that aren’t typically “good students” or who have some serious behavior issues. I think that the emphasis in the program on building relationships and working for justice has become the foundation of everything I do.

What changes have you seen in the field of education since you graduated, and how do you think the MAT program prepared you to adapt?
I feel very fortunate to have done my teacher training right before the advent of mandated curricula in Rhode Island. When I was in school, we were expected to come up with our own units, texts, lesson plans, and assessments. It was challenging, but since I had that experience early in my career, I feel confident when I create a new course; I also feel capable when adapting the curriculum I use so that it suits my students better. And I feel empowered to push back against the cheapened, “shortcut” experience that I believe a mandated curriculum is
giving our students.

I think it’s important for teachers to use our voices and expertise to speak up for our students and to give the best education we can. We seem to be in an era where education is politically under fire and teachers are seen in some cases as the enemy, or at best, incompetent babysitters. I am thinking about ways to act in solidarity with other teachers and to correct the damaging course we are on in the education system. Here, too, Brown has prepared me well to think systemically and to consider equity and justice.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering applying to the program today?
The MAT Program is intense, and is an immersive experience. It can be challenging to dive into this very difficult work so completely for a year. However, if you are ready, you will not find a better education program. Compared to my peers entering the workforce, I was so much better prepared to handle a teaching job. It still wasn’t easy! But if you care about this work, it is worth it to do it to the highest caliber that you can, and Brown will get you there.