*Sponsored Advertising Feature*
English Teacher | Archbishop Spalding High School
Kari Rea has been an English teacher for 20 years, including six years at Archbishop Spalding High School. She has taught Writing and Rhetoric, American Literature, Honors World Literature, and International Baccalaureate (IB) English 12.
Rea received her English Language and Literature degree in 2000 from the University of Maryland, College Park and graduated as a UMD Senior Marshal. She continued her studies at UMD as part of the Master of Library Science program. During July 2014, Rea traveled to Germany on a Fulbright grant to study the German education system.
What inspired you to pursue education as a career?
My 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Linda Mills, inspired me to teach English. There was something magical about her ability to bring literature to life. So I decided to become a “Mrs. Mills” for others. She helped me realize that educators do more than teach a subject. We also teach soft skills and help students become more confident. Ultimately, I want my students to feel the way I felt when I left Mrs. Mills’ classroom: a bit stronger than when they entered it. I want them to be effective communicators, critical readers, resilient learners, and helpful citizens.
What excites you most about your profession?
I enjoy the energy in the classroom. I like spirited discussions, “a-ha” moments, and the challenge of planning lessons that students find engaging, useful, and relevant. My favorite college professor told us that we should never consider ourselves “educated” because that implies there’s nothing left to learn. I love being able to say, “That’s a great question, and I don’t know the answer. Let’s find out.”
What makes Archbishop Spalding High School stand out from other schools in the area?
Archbishop Spalding has many opportunities for students. They can pursue their passions (theater, art, music, sports, robotics, engineering, etc.) through coursework and clubs. If they can’t find a club that represents their passion, a new one can be formed. There is also a genuine sense of community: the way that students treat each other in the hall, the way they support each other’s endeavors, and the way they sign up to volunteer for activities.
8080 New Cut Road; Severn, MD 21144 ; 410-969-9105; archbishopspalding.org
