10 Q s WITH
ALISON PhANTHAVONG English teacher Photos & reporting by Valerie Paredes
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How different is online teaching versus teaching in person? It’s completely different. In person, you’re actually seeing your students and interacting with them. I definitely think in-person teaching has given me the opportunity to get to know my students a lot faster and just a lot more thoroughly than online.
How has your first official in-person year at McLean been? It’s been awesome. I actually feel like part of the McLean community now.
What was your most interesting job before teaching? In college, I was a server and a bartender at a restaurant on grounds. That was a lot of fun.
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Did you play any sports in high school? I ran cross country and played lacrosse.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would make everyone a better listener.
What’s your favorite thing to cook? I love to cook pasta. I’m a big red sauce person, so spaghetti and red sauce.
What is your favorite thing about teaching? I love getting to hang out with my students. Sometimes you forget you’re being paid to do it.
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What is one thing you can’t live without? Cookbooks. They are so much fun to read. I love to cook.
If you had to listen to one song your entire life, what would it be? Right now it would probably be “Solar Power” by Lorde.
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What's one thing people don't know about you? English wasn't my first language; my first language is actually Lao. My parents are from Laos.
OCTOBER 2021 | FEATURES | 17
