By: Maya Morris

Excel English language arts teacher Meghan Sullivan previously worked at a high school program in Stoneham called Seem Collaborative, and is currently finishing her paper for graduate school.

Has teaching always been your passion?

I didn’t know it was my passion. Both of my parents are teachers, my sister’s a teacher, a lot of my family members are teachers and I wanted nothing to do with it. Then I discovered that I hated business, and I decided I really liked the concept of teaching. I used to tutor students in Cambridge for Community Connections and I found I really liked working with students and teaching.

Why do you like ELA?

I like the incorporation of different medias for ELA. You’re not limited to just reading or just writing. It’s incorporating film and music. ELA gives you a chance to look at media and print and look at the emotions they evoke, which is the purpose of English.

What is your class atmosphere like?

We do a lot of discussion, and we have some great interactions. I really like creating an environment where students feel safe and comfortable, and there’s also the elements of learning and having their voices heard which is very important.

You lived in Thailand. What was it like adapting to the atmosphere there?

It’s different. It’s definitely a culture shock, but you just have to go with the flow and just kind of take it one day at a time. It was definitely different in some aspects, getting used to the food, or knowing how to even order food in Thai. But the people are very kind.

Do you know a lot of the language?

I can still speak a little but I’ve definitely been losing it. I’ve been back in the U.S. for a couple years and I don’t typically speak Thai here, although I will, as dorky as it is, speak it when I pick up Thai food.

 Maya Morris can be contacted at [email protected]