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There is a veil of mystery that often surrounds teachers, especially when one wonders about their lives outside the academic domain. A few of our favorite teachers from Berkeley High School have recently shared some delightful insights about their personal lives beyond their teaching commitments.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, even educators at Berkeley High School found themselves feeling idling and unproductive, which was also the case for Menaka Gentle, a Universal 9th Grade Ethnic Studies/Social Living teacher. With an abundance of free time on her hands, Gentle found herself needing a distraction. That’s when she transitioned from teaching textbooks to baking bread and making pasta from scratch in her kitchen. Even horticulture found a place on her list of hobbies.
Gentle has managed to skillfully blend her newfound passion with her teaching methodology, an integration that allows a more wholesome learning experience for her students. She likens her teaching experience to growing plants where sometimes despite the right conditions, the growth could surprise you with its unexpected bounty.
According to her, each student is unique, much like a “concrete rose” growing between a crack in the pavement. That unexpected bloom is what makes teaching so fulfilling for educators like Gentle.
Interestingly, the pandemic brought forth unusual hobbies for other educators at Berkeley High School. Jenell Marshall, a faculty member of the African American Studies Department, nurtured a passionate desire to participate in a game show. The lockdown provided an opportunity, and she decided to seize it.
The online platform Zoom simplified her accessibility and soon she found herself applying persistently until she got selected for ‘Let’s Meet a Deal’. The game show experience added a distinct sparkle in her teaching methods. Marshall found that the outgoing and communicative traits one needs in a game show have now seeped into her lectures, fostering an environment of joy and laughter in her classes.
Having hobbies and passions are crucial for educators, not just for entertainment but also as a medium for expressing their true selves. As adults, the lines between professional and personal spaces can often blur, which prompts many teachers to establish activities and passions that allow them to stress relief and be their authentic selves.
Ashley Cunningham, an Academic Choice World Literature teacher, swears by her passion for experiencing nature and camping as a way to maintain a balance in her life. According to Cunningham, her time in nature helps “reset” her mindset, making her a better educator.
Cunningham empathizes with those who struggle to stop their work from entirely taking over their identities. As a solution, she believes in prioritizing the activities unique to her personality, which allows her to remain true to herself despite her intense love for her job. The usage of her leisure time is as, if not more, important as her time spent teaching.
Just like anyone else, Berkeley High School teachers have hobbies and passions that resonate with their character and personality, along with appreciating the luxury of time to do the things they enjoy as their genuine selves.
