Taryn Gallagher ’14, Meredith McCarthy ’14: Teachers at EA are some of the most well-educated, passionate, and caring in their fields. They know how to challenge students to work to the best of their ability: they also keep challenging themselves. This semester, three Upper School teachers, Thomas Goebeler and Tanuja Murray, both members of the math department, and Michael Leslie, woodworking and photography teacher are switching positions as they themselves become students at EA
Goebeler is taking Mr. Memmo’s yearlong Introduction to Computer Science course that covers the fundamentals of programming in Java software. Goebeler explained, “I no longer know relevant programming languages and I want to be more conversant with modern coding There are just tons of times when I wish I knew at least a little about programming.” With a grin he added, “I like to learn. It’s important to continue to grow. My colleagues are excellent teachers, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to learn from them.”
Leslie is taking both Robert Maier’s Art History class and a woodworking and woodturning course. He explained, “I wanted to learn more about the subject itself and teaching the subject.” When asked specifically about his woodworking and woodturning class, Leslie responded that he tries “to seek professionals to do one-on-one classes in their studios if possible.” He feels that he can never stop learning, even in his own specialty. “Woodturning was something I always wanted to learn. The class I take now teaches me how to turn wood on a lathe as well as more basic turning skills.” Leslie does not limit himself to learning in the classroom; he also uses at-home videos available online to further his woodworking knowledge.
Finally, Murray is taking David Sigel’s Honors 2D Design class. Although art seems to be on the opposite spectrum of math, Murray explained that she was “interested in its connection to math.” She noted what seemed to be a recurring theme among the three teachers: “The class allows me to remember what it is like to be a student.”
Clearly our teachers are dedicated to bettering themselves for the enhancement of students’ in-class experience. Not only does taking these extra classes allow our teachers to continue to expand their erudition, but it also allows them to forge better relationships with both their students and fellow teachers. The impact that education has had on Dr. Goebeler, Mr. Leslie, and Ms. Murray’s lives is evident.