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What's Happening with Ms. Campbell?
by Sloane Walker '17
This week I had the pleasure of getting to know one of our newest language teachers, Ms. Campbell. Ms. Campbell teaches Latin here at Severn, but during this interview I discovered her compelling, momentous journey of moving to America from Germany. Check out this fun chat with one of our newest and most interesting teachers! |
Hello and welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview.
Absolutely, no problem!
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?
Well, I was born and raised in Germany. I also went to college there. Then, I went to Johns Hopkins University on an exchange for one year and I liked it so much that I stayed.
What was the transition like between Germany and America?
It was interesting. At first it was challenging. I was fresh out of college and it was my first time away from home. The first thing I noticed was that everything is not like it is on TV. It was honestly fascinating to see how things are done differently here. It was difficult at first, but after a couple of months I decided that this was the place I wanted to be.
What was high school like for you? What were your favorite classes, sports, and/or extracurricular activities?
Well, high school in Germany is very different. We don't really have the concept of high school. We basically go to school from 5th through 12th grade. We don't have “middle” and “upper” schools. The other thing Germany doesn't really have are sports teams in school. We all had P.E., but we don't have the competition. Those competitive sports are things people do outside of school.
Were you involved in any sports outside of school?
No I wasn't, but I did dance for a little while. School was more academic. There's no student government, however, we did have a student newspaper. It was also different because when I went to school in Germany it was only for half of the day. The latest I'd be in school would be 1:30. We also had school every other Saturday.
That's different. Now, this is something the seniors would relate to: What was your experience like when you were searching for a college to attend?
In Germany, it's much more common to stay close to home, so I lived with my parents when I was in college. Here, college is more of a continuation of your education. You have your science credits and your math and your English, whereas in Germany, you pretty much settle in a major and minor and that's all you study. It's more focused on getting you towards your career. Unless you're trying to go to med school or law school, which you do straight out of high school, you're pretty much free in your choice of where to go to college.
So you can become a doctor or a lawyer more quickly in Germany than you can in the United States?
Yes. Since you don't have to go to college first. In a way, high school in Germany is like undergraduate here in America.
What was your college experience like?
It was good. I liked it. My major was history and my minor was German. History was my favorite subject in school, especially ancient history.
What kind of previous jobs have you had before coming to Severn?
Last year, I taught middle school at Garrison Forest. Before that, I taught at Hopkins. Part of my graduate program was teaching undergraduate courses. I’ve taught Latin, ancient history, and writing.
What was it about Severn that made you want to work here?
I really like the school. I love the buildings and my classroom. I had a great time teaching the students in my sample class. Of course it's different when you're actually their teacher, but so far everyone's been so welcoming.
What are your goals for your future years here at Severn?
First of all, to stay and continue working here. Academically, my goals are to sort of streamline the Latin program a little more than it is right now, and possibly change some of the books. Also, just being a part of the community and advising the yearbook club with Ms. Kapsos. I've never done that before, but it's been an interesting experience.
Well, that's it! Thank you so much. It was nice to meet you!
It was very nice meeting you too!
Now that you know a little more about Ms. Campbell, don't hesitate to knock on her door in Teel at the end of the language hall and have a talk with her yourself. I will say on behalf of the entire Severn community that we are glad she's joined us, and let’s wish her many good years to come!
Absolutely, no problem!
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?
Well, I was born and raised in Germany. I also went to college there. Then, I went to Johns Hopkins University on an exchange for one year and I liked it so much that I stayed.
What was the transition like between Germany and America?
It was interesting. At first it was challenging. I was fresh out of college and it was my first time away from home. The first thing I noticed was that everything is not like it is on TV. It was honestly fascinating to see how things are done differently here. It was difficult at first, but after a couple of months I decided that this was the place I wanted to be.
What was high school like for you? What were your favorite classes, sports, and/or extracurricular activities?
Well, high school in Germany is very different. We don't really have the concept of high school. We basically go to school from 5th through 12th grade. We don't have “middle” and “upper” schools. The other thing Germany doesn't really have are sports teams in school. We all had P.E., but we don't have the competition. Those competitive sports are things people do outside of school.
Were you involved in any sports outside of school?
No I wasn't, but I did dance for a little while. School was more academic. There's no student government, however, we did have a student newspaper. It was also different because when I went to school in Germany it was only for half of the day. The latest I'd be in school would be 1:30. We also had school every other Saturday.
That's different. Now, this is something the seniors would relate to: What was your experience like when you were searching for a college to attend?
In Germany, it's much more common to stay close to home, so I lived with my parents when I was in college. Here, college is more of a continuation of your education. You have your science credits and your math and your English, whereas in Germany, you pretty much settle in a major and minor and that's all you study. It's more focused on getting you towards your career. Unless you're trying to go to med school or law school, which you do straight out of high school, you're pretty much free in your choice of where to go to college.
So you can become a doctor or a lawyer more quickly in Germany than you can in the United States?
Yes. Since you don't have to go to college first. In a way, high school in Germany is like undergraduate here in America.
What was your college experience like?
It was good. I liked it. My major was history and my minor was German. History was my favorite subject in school, especially ancient history.
What kind of previous jobs have you had before coming to Severn?
Last year, I taught middle school at Garrison Forest. Before that, I taught at Hopkins. Part of my graduate program was teaching undergraduate courses. I’ve taught Latin, ancient history, and writing.
What was it about Severn that made you want to work here?
I really like the school. I love the buildings and my classroom. I had a great time teaching the students in my sample class. Of course it's different when you're actually their teacher, but so far everyone's been so welcoming.
What are your goals for your future years here at Severn?
First of all, to stay and continue working here. Academically, my goals are to sort of streamline the Latin program a little more than it is right now, and possibly change some of the books. Also, just being a part of the community and advising the yearbook club with Ms. Kapsos. I've never done that before, but it's been an interesting experience.
Well, that's it! Thank you so much. It was nice to meet you!
It was very nice meeting you too!
Now that you know a little more about Ms. Campbell, don't hesitate to knock on her door in Teel at the end of the language hall and have a talk with her yourself. I will say on behalf of the entire Severn community that we are glad she's joined us, and let’s wish her many good years to come!