We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Amber Sheppard, an English professor at SPIRE Academy, and learned about her unique journey teaching at the renowned sports boarding school.

Q: You work at a sports boarding school – were you involved in any sports growing up? Do you have a sport that you follow now?

A: I played basketball and softball in high school and loved attending other sporting events. My three children play sports and I enjoy watching them. I follow football and basketball at the college and professional level.

Q: Tell us a little bit about how you found yourself teaching in the English field…is this something you’ve always wanted to do?

A: I have always loved to read and love discussing literature of all kinds. I have been teaching in the public schools for the last 15 years and was ready to start a new adventure.

Q: What does your day-to-day look like as an English professor? Anything students would find particularly interesting?

A: I start my morning before anyone else in the house wakes up. This is my time to catch up on the book I am reading and to just take in the silence. As an English teacher, I look at novels and works of literature that will speak to the class. Each year is different, which makes it exciting and a learning experience for myself as well as the students.

Q: What’s one aspect of English that you find interesting & want to share with us & your students?

A: The most interesting aspect of English is that everyone can read the same poem, story, and/or novel, but they have different opinions, views, and outcomes and that is okay. A great piece of literature can have many different takeaways.

Q: Do you have any defining moments that you look back on as a professor? Like a key moment in your personal success/growth.

A: A defining moment for me was when a student was struggling with the class. I had to take a look at how I was teaching and revamp my way of teaching. This was a defining moment because as a teacher, we have to continue learning as well.

Q: What’s something about SPIRE’s Academic program that you find different from any other school you’ve taught at?

A: SPIRE’s Academic program is different from any other school I have taught at because it looks at the entire student through project-based learning. Project-based learning allows the student to have ownership of their learning on a higher level. It is a great approach to creating life-long learners.

Q: What wisdom do you want to pass along to SPIRE student athletes?

A: Student athletes are under stress throughout their journey, take it all in and grow from all experiences and outcomes. We learn more from our mistakes than our accomplishments.

Q: What are you listening to/watching on tv/reading these days? Do you have a book that you return to often?

A: I have been watching Suits. The series is a great example of determination and second chances. I love all books but Jodi Picoult is my go-to author.

Q: Paperback, hardcover, or e-book? Or audiobook!?

A: Paperback, I love how the pages feel when turning.

Q: If you could have a superpower, which would you choose?

A: I could have one superpower; it would be to fly.

Q: What does your ideal vacation look like?

A: My ideal vacation would be anywhere by the ocean, with family and friends. I love listening to the waves and the smell of the saltwater.

Q: What does the perfect Friday night look like? Or conversely, what’s the perfect Sunday look like?

A: The perfect Friday night would be at home with my family. We would make our own pizzas while listening to music. Then sit down to watch a movie or play a board game.