Michelle Goodnow, English Teacher

How was your first day?
My impression so far is that the kids are just so nice, everyone’s been so nice, the teachers, the staff, things have gone really smoothly so far, it’s been good.

Is this your first teaching job, or have you worked in other districts?
I’ve worked in a couple of different places. I started out in 2001 in Dracut and that was only for one year. Then I got my master’s [degree], and after I got my master’s [degree] I taught in North Andover. I taught there for three years and then I taught in Reading for six or seven years and I’ve been off for the last five years.

You mentioned you got your Master’s degree, where did you go to school?
I got my master’s [degree] at Tufts [University]; [It was a] master’s in teaching English.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up partly in Sudbury and partly in Dracut, and I live in Acton now.

When you’re not teaching, what are some hobbies you like to do outside of school?
I love to cook and eat, and I love to do yoga. I have two children so I enjoy spending time with them.

What is your favorite book?
The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I love Hemingway, and anything that has to do with Hemingway, and that is my favorite book of his.

What is your favorite quote for students?
There is one from Hamlet, “O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right.” Which is like every English teacher’s [favorite] quote probably.

What is something you are looking forward to doing this year?
I’m looking forward to getting to know my classes, especially my advisory. I have a ninth grade advisory this year, and we’re going to do some cooking and talk about the gardens outside, so I’m excited to talk about that. In my classes, I’m really excited to teach To Kill a Mockingbird. That’s one of my favorite books to teach.