Amy Neal

Amy Neal

E-Mail: Amy_Neal@smtpgw.sdcs.K12.CA.US

cocktail waitress at Coronado Charthouse for two years; student teacher at O"Farrell Community School in the Humanities department

Background

I grew up in South Boston, Virginia, a very small town with a population of about 7,000 people. I enjoy a small town for the closeness and comfort it brings, but I also feel suffocated by the small ideas and closed minds that often accompany a small town. I could not wait until college. I studied hard in high school and got good grades, in hopes of being accepted at a good school. I went to James Madison University and studied English Literature. I graduated in May 1993 and moved to San Diego in January 1994. I love California, the attitude of its citizens, and the freedom I feel to pursue whatever it is I want to do.

While in Virginia, I was a substitute teacher all through college, during breaks and holidays, and I also was a teaching assistant in the local high school. Since moving to California, I have volunteered at Coronado High School, where I helped with the tenth grade. I look forward to a career in teaching. It is something I think I am destined to do, mainly because my mother and grandmother are both teachers. I tried to stay away from the field of teaching for this very same reason for a long time, but my interest for literature and my love for kids won out in the end.

Interests, Activities & Plans

While applying to the teacher education program, I thought I wanted to teach high school because of my wonderful experience at Coronado High School in the spring. But now that I am in the O'Farrell program, I am willing to give middle school a chance. I know little about the middle school curriculum and how it works, but then I am not so experienced in high school either, so who knows? I want to continue my education while I am teaching, too. I want to pursue a Masters Degree in English, and then I might even go for my PhD. But, all of that is in the future, and I am focusing all my time and energies right now to O'Farrell.

Other Interesting Things

I find myself having less and less free time as school draws near, but in the little that I do have, I enjoy reading and writing in my journal that I have kept since I was a little kid. At some point in every day, I like to take time for myself, go to my Thoughtful Spot (yes, copied from Winnie the Pooh), and look at the ocean, contemplate life, and write down my thoughts. When I do this, I feel that any problems or stresses that are worrying me are washed away, and I can deal with anything. I find it very healing. On the weekends, my favorite activity is going out dancing all night, also very healing. Probably my greatest interest, however, is travelling with my fiance, who is a professional DJ. He goes to a different city about twice a month, and I go along whenever I can. In the past year, I have been all over the United States and Canada, and this year, we are planning a trip to Portugal and Spain. The cities I have seen and the people I have met are wonderful experiences that I will have forever and never forget. The world is out there to be discovered, and Jason and I plan to take advantage of it to the fullest.

Last updated on Monday, August 14, 1995.

This is a personal home page and does not represent the opinions of San Diego State University or O'Farrell Community School.

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