Just a month into her new CSD job teaching English 3 and 4, Allyson Cole, who came from Hopewell High School, sat for a Spartan Questionnaire. As an initiative to gain a better grasp of new teachers’ perspectives and thoughts on CSD compared to other schools, as well as to see how new teachers enhance and change CSD culture in subtle ways, Ms. Cole shared her thoughts, ideas, experiences and opinions.

What do you notice about our school’s culture?

I came into CSD for an interview and the first thing I noticed was how many kids are out in the hallways and  supposed to be there and allowed to be there. People seemed really happy to see each other. That was a little bit different from my history.

And just culture-wise with the teachers, everyone seems to really know and care about their subject. And that comes through in the teaching, because people actually really know science, math and english. And so then what they teach the kids comes through in that way.

What feels different here compared to Hopewell?

I feel exceptionally safe, all of the time. I feel like I’m not in immediate physical or emotional danger and I’m not very tired all of the time. I was being pulled in a lot of different directions at Hopewell. I had a lot of other duties that were not necessarily teaching related and it was stressful and so that made me a little more exhausted in ways that don’t really relate to school.

Did you want a change of culture?

I definitely wanted a change of culture. Before I officially taught here, I came to a professional development day last May where Jimmy Casas spoke exclusively on culture. It was so comforting to see. When most teachers are super checked out and tired, everyone here was willing to take a whole day to listen to him talk for four hours. It was a long talk. But they really cared and really got invested.

What made you want to become a teacher?

My grandmother, my mother and my sister were all teachers. I’ve always had a knack for helping people understand things. When I was in fifth grade, I became a reading buddy for a Kindergartner, and that was kind of how they helped all the kids because with public school, the teacher can’t help everybody.

I remember the first time my reading buddy read a book on his own and got all the words. It was slow and he had to sound them out. And I think that’s what really made me decide that I wanted to teach English.

At college, what were you thinking while you were there?

I started studying pharmacy and took one Chemistry class and it was not for me. I knew then that I wanted to teach English. I went to Carolina for undergrad and in that education program I got to shadow a lot of schools and see schools in motion. Hearing professors who had a passion for teaching made me realize it was what I wanted to do.

What really got you into the route of education?

My mom was a teacher and gave me the privilege of being able to be a teacher, too. I knew that I came from a background that would support me because it is worth it for the outcome and for impacting kids positively.

How does your personality affect you as a teacher?

It is something that we have to think about as educators, how who we are impacts our pedagogy. I’m still learning how to teach as I’m young. I think I’m a fairly balanced teacher. I want to get to know people and love and support them. And like, if you had a bad day, tell me about it. We’ll have some gentility versus if it’s time to lock in, do your work.

I try to balance strict with friendly. I’m still learning that balance of kindness with expectations. And I think something that is unique about me as an educator is that I believe everyone can absolutely do exceptional work.

Does the “Unconditional Positive Regard” quote that you have on your wall guide your teaching style?

Yes, that guides my pedagogy a lot. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.

What are your first impressions of the students here?

My first surprising thing was the amount of kids who asked me how I was doing and weren’t making fun of me. They were genuinely curious about how I was doing. And they were genuinely asking about my transition and how it was going.

I asked a lot of stupid questions in the first weeks like “what’s an advisory?” and no kid clowned me for it. Everyone was so patient. And this was a new position where most of the kids at school knew more about my job than I did. It was an interesting power balance, but it was very doable as everyone was really helpful.

Are there any movies or TV shows that you enjoy?

I’m a huge “Twilight” fan. I was really into “Glee” as a child. I love musicals and musical theater. I really enjoy old British poetry. I read a lot of memoirs and I’ve been into the fantasy realm of books since I was around eleven. I grew up in a community that was really anti-media, so I have not watched most of the movies people talk about.

Are there any random facts you want people to know?

I once saved my college roommate’s life. We were in Raleigh at this First Night event where there were lots of people and this guy just shot into the air to celebrate. I don’t think it was intentional. We will never know. But, what goes up must come down, and it went into her side. It was this whole scary thing. And she was right under my arm so I put her over my shoulder, we called 911 and got her in the ambulance. She had a long exploratory surgery and she’s fine now.

How are you growing accustomed to the changes here and how are you shifting and adapting as you’ve been here?

It has been very new. I am getting accustomed to when admin comes in my room, it’s a good thing, not a “got ya!”

And just adjusting to shorter classes. I think I have slowly started to make my lessons short enough that I’m not rushing through and trying to fit in too much.

And I like letting myself be gentle and be kind and not have to constantly worry as much as I can. It’s not discipline all the time. I’m able to focus a lot more on content.

Is there anything else you think people should know?

I mean, we’re so lucky to be here. This is such a great school. When we’re in it all of the time, all of the unique things about CSD I’ve seen, people (might) get tired of it. But coming from a place that was different, I have students who would kill to be here right so we should be so thankful that we do have all of these wonderful things that we all have.