Faculty Spotlight: Melanie Allen

After much persuasion, Ms. Allen finally allowed us to turn the spotlight on her (much to her chagrin) as she usually highlights our outstanding faculty for these spotlights.

College/ Degrees: Brown University, B.A. Anthropology; The School for International Training, M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language

Years of service: 22

Subject(s:) ESOL

Other roles: Dean of Faculty

Fun fact: Ms. Allen can do the worm (and is a fantastic dancer)!

Background you want to share? Ms. Allen grew up in Pennsylvania and attended boarding school in New Jersey for the last two years of high school.  After college, Ms. Allen served in Americorps for two years and then taught English abroad as a volunteer.  Her first teaching job after graduate school was at FA.  She taught here for five years but then left Maine to have the adventure of living out West.  After just one year, however, she came back to FA.  Ms. Allen is married to Mr. West, who is also a teacher at FA.  

Why did you become a teacher? One day in my 20s - I remember the exact moment- I realized that teaching English to speakers of other languages would allow me to combine my interests and skills: I wanted to do a helping job, I liked to perform, and I was interested in language and culture.  I especially wanted to work at a boarding school because I had such a wonderful experience.

In the last few years I have also been an administrator, which has allowed me to serve FA in a new way.  I am honored to have the job of supporting teachers in their work.  

What is your favorite class to teach and why? I loved teaching ESOL World History.  I like to think of interesting ways to get students to use English, and the topic of world history provides great opportunities to do that. 

What are some adjectives to describe yourself as a teacher? Compassionate, organized, creative, flexible when it matters and strict when it matters.  

How do you motivate your students? Students in ESOL classes are usually self-motivated.  They are here at an English-speaking school and so have real-life, daily reasons to want to improve their language skills.  However, I also motivate students by telling them they must learn not to make mistakes so that people will notice their ideas and not what they say is wrong.  And I love to praise good effort.  I make sure each student is aware of the things they do well.
 

Is there anything from your experience as a student that has influenced you as a teacher? I was always afraid to speak in class, so I work hard as a teacher to make students feel comfortable so they can speak without fear.