NAME:
Dr. Heather O'Shea
SCHOOL:
Bosque School
CLASS:
9th and 11th Grade English, Economics
SCHOOL PHONE:
898-6388
I am in my eleventh year at Bosque School, and I'm thrilled to be teaching
full time this year. I received my undergraduate degree (in
English, Economics,and Theology--I couldn't decide and they spoke to each
other beautifully!) at the University of Notre Dame. I completed both a
masters and a doctoral degree in English at the University of New Mexico,
and because it was free, an executive MBA at UNM as well. This year, I'm
especially looking forward to teaching Bosque's new economics class.
I found my way to Bosque after about ten years in the business world, and,
like Dorothy, I don't expect to leave home again anytime soon.
When I was not much older than our seniors, a good friend gave me a gift of
two questions that I've returned to throughout my life. The first was "What
is worth my life?" and the second was "How can I best love?"
These are the questions that ultimately led me into teaching, and they are
the questions that have brought me back into the classroom full time this
year.
In both English and Economics classes, I hope that students will learn to ask
their own questions and to think deeply about important things. I believe
that words have the power to change the world. I think the most important
thing I can help students learn is how to use those words with insight,
power, and compassion, whether they are reading a book in English class, or
debating policy in Economics.
I can think of few things that I enjoy more than learning. In the past year,
I've taken up both the violin and the mandolin, and the fact that I can lose
myself in these pursuits and grow without anyone ever giving me a grade
informs my philosophy of assessment. I hope that the grades I give students
will, at best, be useful to them, and at worst, not get in the way of joyful
learning.