Alison Rhodes, Spanish Teacher at Pinkerton Academy
At Pinkerton Academy, the World Languages Department provides Pinkerton students opportunities to not just learn the basic mechanics of French, German, Spanish, Latin, and American Sign Language (ASL), but chances to explore the cultures, histories, and traditions of each.
Yet, that wasn’t what drew Alison Rhodes, a longtime Spanish teacher, to Pinkerton. Instead, it was the strong relationships between other teachers, paraprofessionals, aides, and everyone else in — and out — of the World Languages Department.
Finding the perfect fit
Growing up, Alison knew she wanted to work with kids and make a positive impact on others. And after taking Spanish, traveling abroad, making lifelong friends (who she still keeps in contact with on a regular basis), and falling in love with the Spanish language itself during her time in school, being a Spanish teacher seemed like a natural fit.
In her last role as a Spanish teacher at a different school, Alison enjoyed teaching her students and watching their confidence grow as they mastered difficult pronunciations and translations. Still, she found herself looking for more out of her career — especially when it came to opportunities for collaboration. While her colleagues were nice, they didn’t have regular conversations with each other or share their ideas. Teaching sometimes felt lonely, and there were some school days when Alison didn’t even see her colleagues for more than a few minutes.
While browsing a Facebook page for World Languages Teachers, she noticed a post from a teacher at Pinkerton about an opening for a Spanish teacher. While Alison wasn’t set on leaving her current job, she sent the teacher a DM to learn more about teaching at Pinkerton and the relationships between teachers in the World Languages Department and the broader Pinkerton campus. The conversation felt authentic, and Pinkerton seemed promising. After chatting a bit more with the teacher, she interviewed for the position and was soon hired.
Engaging in collaborative conversations
The World Languages Department at Pinkerton has approximately 20 teachers, including 11 Spanish teachers. The diverse, yet close group, often bounces ideas off each other and supports one another each school day.
“I feel like I can walk into any of the rooms and ask any of my colleagues for advice,” said Alison. “Everyone is always willing to listen and help out.”
And that supportive mindset runs throughout the World Languages Department and the Pinkerton campus. Alison points to her relationship with Mark Phelps, Associate Dean of Academics World Languages, as a prime example.
“When we meet after he observes classes, we talk about what I’m doing right,” said Alison. “We discuss ideas — it’s a collaborative and productive conversation.”
That openness and collaboration extends into professional development (PD) opportunities as well. As a full-time teacher at Pinkerton, PD opportunities are built into the school year and teachers can choose what interests them. Last school year, Alison and some of the other teachers in the World Language Department started a book club. Alison and her colleagues met on a regular basis and discussed their takeaways from each chapter. The book club provided a relaxed atmosphere, and it didn’t feel like PD. Instead, Alison and her colleagues actually looked forward to connecting each week.
Growing and experiencing different cultures
In her role, Alison chaperones student exchange trips to Spain and helps coordinate activities and events when Spanish students come to the U.S. for several weeks. The process has been wonderful, and Alison notes it’s one of her favorite parts of her job. Coordinating activities at Pinkerton for the Spanish students requires help from others and the leaders at Pinkerton have always been supportive. For example, in the past, Spanish students experienced homecoming at Pinkerton, cheerleading, local trips to neighboring cities, and much more. The exchange program is fulfilling and meaningful for everyone — not just on the academic side, but through the friendships and firsthand experiences gained.
Creating new opportunities for students
Looking to offer students additional opportunities to learn and speak Spanish, Alison — along with a colleague — also created and built out a 4B Spanish class. An alternative to 4A, a level four Spanish advanced class, the 4B option gives students at Pinkerton who want to continue taking Spanish a less rigorous, but still enriching, learning experience built on relationships and speaking.
A learning process itself, developing the 4B Spanish class was a bit of a challenge to find the right amount of difficulty for students without being too rigorous and similar to the 4A option. Leaders at Pinkerton gave Alison and her colleague the green light to find the perfect balance. Starting with a revised version of the 4A curriculum, Alison and her colleague taught the first batch of 4B classes, adjusting lessons, sharing successes, and bouncing ideas off each other. Consisting of a small, but tight-knit group, the inaugural class grew close throughout the school year through a shared love of Spanish.
For Alison, she can’t help but smile when reflecting on her time so far at Pinkerton. She cherishes the relationships she’s built and the opportunities to expand the learning opportunities for students.
“Everyone at Pinkerton is just so supportive,” added Alison. “My colleagues value my feedback, and I value theirs. They come to my room and ask for help and value what I’m doing. That’s extremely validating as an educator.”
Those relationships are what makes Pinkerton special and, for Alison, the perfect — and fulfilling — fit.
