How does the APH teaching philosophy look in your classroom?
Students learn best when they connect with the material they are reading—when they internalize, process, and reimagine a historical text, piece of literature, or art form. I encourage my students to make connections that are personal, interdisciplinary, and tied to the world that surrounds them. I teach them to see the past in the present and to envision a future that they will create. And the Humanities classroom is more than a place to learn historical facts and read literature—it’s also a place to teach students how to build a discussion with one another, how to develop their own style of expression, and how to think deeply and critically about the texts they encounter.
What excites you about The Academy at Penguin Hall?
I’m excited to teach such bright, engaged, and enthusiastic students. Students at APH are always willing to ask questions, venture a guess, and help one another out. It’s a privilege to teach in a school that encourages girls to invest in their education and take ownership of their school culture.
Share something interesting about yourself.
My grandmother was a real estate broker and my mother was a realtor so, when I was growing up, I got to explore everyone’s houses while my mom showed them. The result was a lifelong obsession with domestic spaces. I wrote my dissertation on the country house novel, love to visit historic properties, and ogle my friends’ homes. I’m inspired by the history and beauty of Penguin Hall and I love working in such a cool space.
Teresa Trout has a BA in Classics and English Literature from the University of Rochester. She has a PhD in English Literature from Harvard University.