Saturday, November 26, 2011

Rebecca Chernay

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.

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