We welcome these new Faculty Faces to Justin-Siena. Shawn Miller: College Counselor Why did you get into this vocation? My mom has always worked in the education field, and through her world I was drawn to supporting students although not as a teacher. After graduating, I was offered a chance to work in the Admission Office of my alma mater and never looked back. I really value the chance to help our students find their fit for college. As someone who did not have any college-going resources in high school, save for the limited knowledge from my family, I’m excited to share my knowledge of higher education and the college process with our students and families, including helping them discover colleges that are ideal fits for their growth and development as people. This role gives me the chance to give back and support our students and families in a truly meaningful way.
Elle Harrington: English Why did you get into this vocation? I sort of fell into teaching high school. I was in a Ph.D. program in English Literature in Boston when I decided to take a year off and moved to San Francisco. I taught at USF the fall semester, but then found they couldn’t offer me any classes for the spring. A five month sub job at St. Ignatius Prep morphed into 5 years. I never went back to graduate school. I love helping students connect with literature and to develop as writers. There’s a quote from Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird that I include on all of my syllabi because it captures so perfectly how I feel about teaching English: “So why does our writing matter, again?” they ask. Because of the spirit, I say. Because of the heart. Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. I think we all need this sense of connection in life now more than ever.
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