Introducing New Faculty Member, Maria White!

From Meghan Stott: Maria is an adventurous and dynamic Spanish teacher who brings joy and enthusiasm to learning.  Maria's love of nature and outdoor education were evident when we observed her teach. She brings experience teaching in a Waldorf inspired school.   Maria will be an incredible addition to Roeper and we are so grateful to have her join our World Language team.  Please welcome Maria to our community.

Maria's answers to our questions:

1. What is your new position at Roeper - details like what courses will you be teaching, are you working with other faculty?
 
I am a new Spanish teacher at Roeper lower school.

My way to see the world changed the day that my "Ciencias Naturales" teacher took us on a field trip and show us how inside of a rotten tree stump (for me then, just an old piece of wood) the cycle of life was ready to begin again. While I was touching the wet organic material inside the stump my teacher talked about tropical ecosystems and my mind was able to imagine every single detail and found the real magic of this world! I imagined the seed of the canopy falling and mixing with the soil, I imagined worms and fungus fertilizing the dark, wet soil of the jungle, a tree getting older, I saw a jaguar hunting the possum living under the roots of that tree and finally the tree falling down, getting rotten invaded by thousands of little insects. Science is magic!  Till today every time I have the opportunity, I will look for rotten trees to touch and smell the beginnings of new life. 

 

If I could spend one year relaxing and enjoying life I would go back to Nicaragua beaches or the jungles of Quintana Roo in Mexico.  If I could  have the  opportunity to spend one  year  studying I would go back  to Israel, If I could  spend one  year having  dinner at friend houses and restaurantes I will chose  Portugal, If I could  spend one year teaching sports I will go back  to South  Africa or Zimbabwe, if I could spend  one  year  taking  pictures I  will go back to Ethiopia, if I could spend one year back in time I  will go back to Norway. I can spend one year in Detroit USA, and I love it!

Helping others is the therapy I use when I feel overwhelmed and afraid. My family teaches me unconditional love. Guatemalans are kind, humble and friendly people in general, when we think is nothing else left is always a joke to make you laugh. The frijolitos con crema and handmade tortillas will be ready at the dinner table waiting for you. Let's go!!!!

When possible, motorcycles are my passion. When not, I dream to have one!  I like to see my daughter growing while having a cup of black coffee in my hands.

I like to teach stories that could lift the spirit of the kids and their imagination. I love to teach about insects and trees. I like to encourage the kids to discover themselves and their capabilities, I love to see the kids overcoming fears! Nothing can be better that looking at the face of a kid that realizes that they can.

When I was reading the employment opportunity for Spanish teacher I also read the mission and philosophy of the school and I  found  this phrase: "Diversity and interdependence foster competence as much as compassion, and nurture excellence as much as empathy". Immediately I thought that I was going to give my best to have the job and be part of this community.