What’s your name?
Alison Van Orden
What do you teach?
English (specifically AP English Language, AP Seminar, and AP Research)
What’s your favorite thing to teach?
I love teaching literature and writing. My favorite thing is helping students who don’t love writing realize how fun writing actually is and how good they are at it.
How many years have you been teaching?
I’ve been teaching for 29 years, all at Timpview.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
I love teaching so much because I know that I’m making a difference in the lives of my students. When I see students get passionate about an idea or a book, it’s the best day. And that happens almost every day when you teach English!
What’s your favorite thing about Timpview?
I’ve always loved the students at Timpview, and even though our student body has changed over the years, Timpview students are just as amazing as ever. They are the smartest, kindest, and the best.
What’s the hardest thing about teaching?
The hardest thing about teaching is helping students you never see. It’s hard for students to develop skills or love learning when they don’t show up.
Why do you keep teaching?
I keep teaching because it’s still fun. I wake up (almost) every day excited to be with my students to talk about literature and writing. It really is such a great job (except for the grading :).
