Just last Spring, Kathryn Viola earned her Bachelor’s in English from Stony Brook University. As an undergraduate, she was in the Teacher Preparation Program while on the English Honors track. This Fall, the Alpha Nu Zeta member embarks on her Master’s in English! Kathryn’s aspiration to be a secondary school English teacher is a true no-brainer as the profession enables her to combine two of her greatest passions: literature and helping others! 

What’s your favorite area of study within your major? 

My favorite area of study within my major would be anything related to Women’s writing. Specifically, I enjoy studying 19th-century literature, as well as the Gothic. In my freshman year, I had the opportunity to take a Feminist Literature course. This course not only introduced me to some of the most profound works written by women (eg, Toni Morrison’s A Mercy and Joyce Carol Oates’ Black Water) but fundamentally changed the way in which I viewed authorial intent. Also, this course, like other literary analysis courses I’ve taken, has shaped how I analyze sociocultural aspects in relation to works of literature. Additionally, this area of study really cemented itself as my favorite when I was completing my capstone Honors Thesis. My thesis allowed me to examine literature at a level that I had never done before. Through writing about Women’s Mental Health Crises as shown through the 19th-century Gothic novel, I feel as though I was able to forge a deep connection to historical female authors. This literary connection is one that I will carry with me throughout my career. 

What led you to pursue teaching? Did you always know that you wanted to take this path? 

I first realized that I wanted to pursue teaching during my second semester. When first entering Stony Brook, I was actually in the Psychology program, aiming to pursue a career in forensic psychology. I realized, however, that my greatest love was, and would always be, literature. I was fortunate enough to have had incredible teachers who connected with their students and made it a point to teach with such a passion that it left their students feeling inspired. When student teaching, my chosen career path was only affirmed. I entered each day feeling lucky that I got to participate in a career that forges meaningful connections and has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life. 

What has been the biggest difference between pursuing an undergraduate degree at SBU and pursuing your MA degree at SBU? 

I would say the biggest difference between pursuing an undergraduate and graduate degree at Stony Brook would be the attention to detail needed to flourish in a course. I absolutely loved my undergraduate experience, but I have been really enjoying closely examining and applying literary theory! Additionally, pursuing my second degree at Stony Brook has allowed me to gain more experience in a field that I love! Doing my bachelor’s and master’s programs in the same school has reinforced how wonderful our English department is. I feel so lucky to have experienced classes with knowledgeable professors that put insurmountable effort into everything they do. 

Tell me about your student observation experience and student teaching experience.

My observations were a fantastic experience. I got to observe effective strategies in regards to lesson planning, classroom management, and what the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of teaching looked like. Observations are insurmountably important. Not only do they help you forge meaningful connections with faculty, but they also serve as a comforting introduction to student teaching. I was lucky enough to begin my first student teaching placement with the teacher whose class I had observed. My first placement, being an 8th-grade honors class, was incredibly rewarding in regard to understanding the best methods for building student skills. It was wonderful to see students applying what they have learned in real time and watching them get better every day. My second placement was a 10th-grade honors class. This is the class that really cemented my passion for teaching at the secondary level. I was so grateful to be with a group of students that shared a passion for writing, literature, and discussion. I do want to note that I took even the most challenging moments of student teaching to be a success. The goal of an educator should be to build enough confidence and enough analytical abilities in their students, where questioning in the classroom is not only expected, but is met with praise and respect. Student teaching was an absolutely irreplaceable experience.   

What advice would you give to students who wish to join the Teacher Education Program?

The main advice I would give to students wishing to join the Teacher Education Program would be: 

1) Really get to know your students; they add so much value to the classroom.

2) Talk to everyone! Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors, your cooperating teachers, and even your previous teachers for guidance. That’s what they’re there for! Stony Brook’s educational program is so wonderfully staffed, no one will turn you away for wanting to know more.

3) Be yourself. I know this sounds cliché, but students are great identifiers of authenticity. They want to know that the person they are learning from is authentic in their love for their craft.