We decided to interview Ms. Brooks, a new English teacher at BASIS this year, about a variety of topics such as her hobbies, teaching experiences, and favorite books. We also threw in a few wackier questions, so make sure to stick around until the end! Some responses have been edited for clarity/context.
Carolyn: What classes do you teach?
Ms. Brooks: I teach English 6, a section of Honors Language and Composition, and a section of Honors Literature.
C: What’s your favorite subtopic within English?
B: Well, I have a creative writing background, and I have a Master’s degree in creative writing. I would say, “probably creative writing or literature.”
C: Do you have any pets?
B: Yes! I have four dogs and two cats. So, it’s a lot. It’s a ridiculous amount.
C: Favorite hobby?
B: Well, I’ve been practicing yoga for six or seven years now. At one point, I wanted to be a yoga teacher, and I think that’d still be fun eventually. My husband and I do a lot of camping and hiking. We’re really outdoorsy. Camping, hiking, kayaking, all that stuff.
C: What was your favorite class in college?
B: Ooh interesting. My favorite class in college was where I got to edit a literary journal in grad school, so I worked with staff for NAU’s literary magazine called Thin Air. I gained a lot of skills in editing fiction writing. I also learned a lot about web design, so I got to do a lot with that, and I learned about publishing and behind the scenes on the website.
C: Do you have any advice for this year’s seniors?
B: Not being ashamed of your passions or your hobbies is a big one. Especially with what I studied with English, there’s so much you can do with it. Really learn to find what you’re passionate about and not be ashamed about it. I also think going to your teacher’s office hours and asking questions is important. Really value the one-on-one time with your professors. Learn as much as you can!
C: Did you grow up in Arizona?
B: I moved here when I was four years old, so I’ve lived here for most of my life. I’m from North Phoenix and went to Boulder Creek High School in Anthem.
C: Do you play any instruments?
B: I do not. I used to be really involved with choir and theater when I was in high school, so I have some singing background but no instruments.
C: Something you could talk about for hours?
B: Ooh. Probably politics, but we can’t talk about politics at school. Well, of course, writing and good books. Art, that’s another thing. Art in general. We did a really cool exercise in lit this week, “The Raft of the Medusa.” We had a blast with that; it was a lot of fun.
C: How do you feel about teaching at BASIS so far?
B: I’ve really enjoyed it a lot. The first few weeks of online school have been challenging, so that’s kind of the downside of working with online instruction. But I’ve learned to be a lot more adaptable and flexible, so that’s something. I love how rigorous the curriculum is; it’s very adaptable and flexible, and there’s a lot to explore.
C: Pet peeve?
B: I don’t like being interrupted at all. That drives me nuts. So when it’s online and there’s a delay, I have to not get mad at my kids because I know it’s probably just delayed for them.
C: Top three favorite books and why?
B: Oh, that’s so tough. I’ll just do a few I’ve read recently because top three when you teach lit, what even is that? It by Stephen King because I write horror and because it’s definitely one of my top favorite books of all time. The Roundhouse by Louise Erdrich — that one’s really good. There’s this book of short stories; it’s called After the People Lights Have Gone Off by Stephen Graham Jones. It’s a really excellent short story collection.
C: Favorite theme song?
B: That ‘70s Show or The Simpsons.
C: What’s a book you liked in middle school you’d still enjoy reading?
B: Holes! Mr. McMurtrey teaches Holes for his fifth-graders. Those lucky fifth graders; that’s such a good book.
C: On a scale of one to ten, how annoying are Broadway show tunes (one being the least and ten being the most annoying)?
B: Ooooh, I have some opinions about that. I have to be in the right mood. Any time I’m not in the mood to hear Broadway show tunes, they’re like an eight.
C: Yeah, I was in a project week a few years ago, and one group sang “Oh My God, You Guys,” which was terrible. It was like four hours every day for a week.
B: Yeah, I had to do that song in show choir.
C: I’m so sorry to hear that.
C: If you were a supervillain, what would your name be?
B: Aw man. This one’s so tough. I want to say “Sarcasm Queen” or something, but that’s kind of lame. My sister told me that my name would be Siren because I’m loud and my superpower would be yelling at people until they leave. I thought she meant the mermaid and I was all for it, but I guess not.
C: How do you feel about geese having teeth?
B: Oh no, hate geese. Don’t like ‘em.
C: If you weren’t a teacher, what do you think you’d be doing?
B: I would love to be a writer, that’s really kind of the goal. It’s just, you really cannot make a living on writing. I think if I wasn’t a teacher, I’d be a horror writer. That’s my goal, to publish a horror novel one day.
C: Ninjas or pirates?
B: Pirates.
C: Favorite band/genre of music?
B: I’m a rock fan, so metal and rock. I have a tattoo from a metal band on my arm. So, a lot of rock, I would say.
C: If you could make your own ice cream flavor, what would you choose?
B: My favorite ice cream is either chocolate and peanut butter or cookie dough. So if I could mash the two together in a way that would be good, then that.
