10 Questions with Alison Phanthavong

10 Qs WITH ALISON PhANTHAVONG

English teacher

Photos & reporting by Valerie Paredes

1

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.

2

How has your first official in-person year at McLean been?

4

Did you play any sports in high school?

I ran cross country and played lacrosse.

8

What is one thing you can’t live without?

Cookbooks. They are so much fun to read. I love to cook.

It’s been awesome. I actually feel like part of the McLean community now.

3

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.

5

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I would make everyone a better listener.

6

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

I love to cook pasta. I’m a big red sauce person, so spaghetti and red sauce.

7

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.

9

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.

10

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.