The KO community extends a warm welcome to the newest addition to the Modern Language program, Spanish teacher Tricia Crowley.
Ms. Crowley discovered her passion for Spanish when she was young. “I was really fortunate to have Spanish in my elementary school,” Ms. Crowley said. “I don’t remember not knowing Spanish.” Ms. Crowley’s Spanish education continued in high school when she went on a four week trip to Spain and lived with a host family. However, her Spanish journey really took off during college. “I went to Providence College, which is on the smaller side,” she said. “I realized that I wanted a different experience after my sophomore year, so I spent my junior year abroad in Spain.”
Ms. Crowley is starting off her KO career teaching Spanish, coaching, and advising in the Middle School as well as teaching one Upper School Spanish class. She comes to KO from the Potomac School in McLean, Va. Ms. Crowley was very busy at the Potomac School: She was a Spanish teacher, the Director of Teaching and Learning, Grade Nine Dean, as well as Assistant Head of School. She also worked at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington for 12 years.
So far, Ms. Crowley has thoroughly enjoyed her time at KO. “I like the sense of community at KO, and I feel a great deal of support, whether it’s through colleagues or people in my department,” she said. As a former West Hartford resident, Ms. Crowley said she feels as though that has contributed to her sense of comfort at KO. “I grew up in West Hartford, which also really makes this feel like home,” Ms. Crowley said.
Despite her overall success so far, there have certainly been challenges during this unusual time. “Starting a new job during a pandemic has been the strangest thing above all,” Ms. Crowley said. Specifically, she notes that she has seen her students without masks only a handful of times. In addition, concurrent learning has been an adjustment. “It is really different,” she said. “A lot of [teachers] have conversations all the time about ways to approach it.” Despite this, Ms. Crowley feels as though the entire KO faculty is figuring out these new protocols together. “I do feel as though there is somewhat of a level playing field,” Ms. Crowley said. “No one knows any more information than the rest of us.”
Ms. Crowley is looking forward to experiencing all of the unique traditions at KO as she continues on her teaching journey. ¡Gracias, Señora Crowley!
