Ali was one of my all time favorite teachers. I had her in advanced freshman English and advanced American Lit junior year. She was such a dynamic presence and really helped me come into my own. One of my favorite moments from freshman year was watching the 1960s film version of Romeo & Juliet. During the balcony scene Ali yelled out "Just kiss her on the mouth already so she'll shut up!" She was ...hilarious and sarcastic and let us be ourselves. I have no doubt in my mind that her classes and my relationship with her as a student and an alumna are fundamental in my ability to finish college and grad school and become a librarian. I wish she knew what I was able to accomplish because of the skills she gave me. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. I feel for the students who will never have her or be able to learn from her and for her children and her family.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Meghan DeSloover
I have always been interested in M(r)s. McKenna. Both as a Mrs. and ms., I found her to be, in both ways, equally interesting. I remember the fright & anticipation I had when I first knew she was going to be my english teacher. I knew she was hard, but I had also heard her laugh robustly on many occasion when walking by her classroom.
My thoughts, fears, and anticipations never ceased as long as I knew her. She was a force of presence, mind, and spirit. I found a kinship with her as a student, although I never felt even close to her level of intellect. I knew I could trust her, because I knew that she knew a lot.
As I grew and became a mother, I realized how giving Ms. McKenna was, and that she must have been giving of herself constantly- to her students, her friends, and her children. It is a great gift to be given the honesty, humor, and depth of emotion & feeling that Ms. McKenna gave. Thank you, Ms. McKenna for sharing so much of yourself in your time.
Sincerely,
Meghan DeSloover
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