She’s a Disney and ‘Wizard of Oz’ fan

By Kate Farhat

Q. Why did you choose to come to Hill?

A. It’s my first full time position as a teacher, and I’m really excited to be back in an all-girls Catholic school. I went to NDA ... it’s definitely nice to be in that atmosphere again.

Q. What was your first impression of Hill?

A. I was very impressed with how helpful every girl is here, and even teachers, too. I can't just limit it to the girls, everyone here is just so helpful. They knew that I was new, and were always able to help. I was really grateful for that because when you're transitioning to a new school, there are so many new things you have to learn — a different culture, where my classes were, and things like that. I very much felt like a freshman on my first day of high school! It was kind of fun, but a little intimidating at the same time. Everyone helped me transition and become comfortable, and I'm grateful for that.

I was hired in February of last year, and Mrs. Molluzzo asked me to come in March through June for a writing workshop with the now-sophomores. This also helped me become familiar with the school so when I started, I was really able to go in full swing. I knew what the schedule system was like and I knew how the end of the year goes, before I even got to my first end of the year. I got a whole feel for it before I even got here, which was really awesome.

Q. What are your interests outside of teaching?

A. I love watching and playing tennis. I love baseball, too. I'm also trying to get into hockey because my family are big Rangers fans, and I'm so clueless. I tried football, but I gave up on it. It's like a foreign language to me!

I did voice lessons from first grade until until I was a senior in high school. I was also in my church choir, the NDA Singers, and drama.

I'm trying to learn different languages. On Duolingo, I’m studying Italian. My family is Italian. My grandparents are Italians from Sicily, Calabria and Avellino. They spoke Italian to my dad, and my mom knows Italian but she doesn't speak it. I ask Ms. Fiola every once in awhile to converse with me.

Q. Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?

A. My favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz,” so you can imagine how excited I was for the show! I actually saw Mickey Rooney a famous actor from the ’30s in a production of “The Wizard of Oz” back in the ’90s.

I'm also a Disney fanatic. I’ve memorized “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Tangled’ and “Aladdin.” I still watch the movies, shamelessly.

Q. Where would you want to travel one day?

A. Definitely London. I've also never been to Italy so my plan is to go there one day and see it all. Australia also since I have family there.