In the week leading up to RUMPUS, I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Spanish 1 and 2 teacher Leah Groat. We discussed her interactions with the student body—a student body that is very different from the one she was a part of in high school—in addition to her involvement in RUMPUS events.
Ms. Groat holds a B.A. in Kinesiology and Spanish from Hendrix College, where she held a variety of leadership positions, including her service as a President’s Ambassador. She has also spent time studying abroad at Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Q: What do you look forward to most during the school day?
A: My favorite thing about the school day, besides the actual teaching part, is standing out in the hallway and saying "hi" to everybody who walks past, in English or Spanish or French or Vietnamese, or whatever. Its fun to see what happens in the hallway. That’s why I stand out there.
Q: How does being a Spanish teacher affect your relationship with the numerous native-speakers that attend Darlington?
A: Well, kind of the same sort of thing—when I’m standing out in the hallway and we speak in Spanish. And, I like to ask them questions. I like to say, “What’s a different word for this?” Or, like during advisory time, where we just talk about different things. I’ve learned a lot from them this year, and last year. They teach me a lot with Spanish. I like that fact that we have students who can be examples when I’m talking about a cultural thing in class. I could say, “You know this kid? Well, he or she is from Mexico City. Or, from Ecuador.” So it’s been a good thing, definitely.
Q: How is Darlington School different from the school that you attended in high school?
A: Darlington is so different. The high school that I went to in a suburb of Chicago had about 1,500 students. I graduated with a class over 300, so Darlington is obviously much smaller. My high school was a public high school; I never knew anybody who wore uniforms to school. I knew nothing about an Honor Code, or anything like that. So it has been very different. I have learned so much about just how different schools work, just because of these differences.
Q: What is your house affiliation and what are your thoughts on the upcoming RUMPUS events this weekend?
A: I live in and I work in Cooper House, so I am affiliated with those girls. I am really excited about RUMPUS. I had no idea what to expect last year, and it was a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to everything…except for Fear Factor. And I’m really happy I’m not doing that! I love Lip Sync though. I did the faculty performance last year, and I’m doing it again this year.
Q: Do you have any hints on what you’re going to be doing? What type of dance?
A: I can tell you that it is to a very popular song that you will know. Otherwise, I cannot divulge much!
