Catherine Cox

Cox Emphasizes Enthusiasm

New junior English teacher has a different style of teaching that keeps students engaged.

BY CLARE KIMMIS REPORTER

Students attempt and fail to conceal their smiles as English teacher children. Now that both her boys are older, Cox decided to begin teaching Catherine Cox dances at the front of the classroom. This is a normal occurrence again, part time. The transition from having a lot of free time to practically for Cox, who needs no special occasion to make class fun and lively. Her tight none at all has been quite an adjustment, but she wanted to teach again and brown curls and bright smile fill the room with a warm sense of belonging. Her apply the enthusiasm she has everyday to the classroom. easygoing and upbeat persona make her seem more like a colleague or a friend “My boys have taught me how to deal with students while students than a typical teacher. sometimes teach me how to deal with my boys,” Cox said.

“She’s a great teacher because she makes learning fun. I really like her and Cox has a different style of teaching that keeps students engaged. She look forward to her class on a daily basis,” junior Liliana Capelli said. despises quietness and loves having students work in groups to help each other

During her senior year of high school, Cox’s English teacher, Mrs. Sax, out, avoiding silence. She tends to dance at the front of the classroom and has roused a passion for literature she never had before. Her English teacher normal conversations with students like they are her equals. But that’s not the inspired her to be the enthusiastic teacher that she is today. Literature only thing that sets her apart as a teacher. She believes that enthusiasm helps particularly interests Cox because she believes it is a window into different while teaching because the mundane atmosphere of a classroom can get old parts of time. Sometimes it can be better than a history lesson, according to and boring. Cox, because there is no memorization of dates. Characters can help students “I think my style of teaching is based on my personality. The way I teach is understand the time period on a deeper level. the way I act normally as well. I believe that enthusiasm rubs off and I want my

“Mrs. Sax was larger than life. We started with Canterbury Tales, which is students to be as enthusiastic about English as I am,” Cox said. what I started with my students this year. She made everything so interesting Cox likes high school students because she believes their age has made a and fun. She made me like Canterbury Tales which is a hard book to like,” Cox huge transition and has become “human again.” She thinks that they are at a said. point in their life when they are under a lot of stress, but they are handling it

When Cox graduated from high school, she went to Pennsylvania State quite well. High school students are more willing to learn. University where she got her English degree before receiving her master’s “There’s a maturity in high school students because they are all dealing degree in English at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Cox taught two years with a lot of stress junior and senior year,” Cox said. “They can understand at Center High School before taking a 15-year-long break to raise her two more and delve deeper into themes.”

Cox enthusiastically discusses “Pride and Prejudice” with her students. (All photos by Clare Kimmis)