Mirror Q & A: Helen Holway

Mirror: Where are you from?

Holway: Kennebunkport, ME.

M: What classes do you teach?

H: I teach Spanish I and Spanish II.

M: How long have you been teaching?

H: This is my 7th year teaching, but only my second year teaching high school! The other five years have been at the middle school level.

M: Where have you taught before?

H: The year I taught high school I was at South High Community School in Worcester. I did one year at Stacy Middle School in Milford and then for the past four years I was at Dedham Middle School.

M: What jobs did you do before teaching?

H: Oh man! So many! I worked at a surf beach shop. I also worked as a college mailroom attendant. camp counselor, ice cream scooper, and assistant Manager at a Tennis / Boat Club (current summer job!).

M: Where did you go to college?

H: I went to Clark University in Worcester for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees.

M: What do you like most about teaching?

H: THE KIDS! I love being able to get to know a class, create inside jokes with them, and learn together as a community. If I’m not having fun while I teach, I know my kids aren’t, so I try to make the time I’m with my kids fun for everyone.

M: What are your hobbies?

H: When I’m not speaking Spanish, I like to cook, read, spend time with friends and family, go to the beach, and hang out with my dog, Eddie.

M: What are your pet peeves in the classroom?

H: Speaking while I’m speaking, and disrespecting others. Just be nice!

M: What do you like about Dedham?

H: Dedham has such a unique community with so many different types of people in it. I have students from so many different places and backgrounds, and it’s so exciting to me that I get to teach and get to know so many different students.

M: What inspired you to become a teacher?

H: I got inspired to have a career in Spanish after I spent 10 days in an indigenous village in Guatemala. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with Spanish until college, where I realized how much I like working with teenagers. I still can’t believe that I get paid to do what I do – it’s the best job in the world.

M: What sets you apart from other teachers?

H: I don’t know if this sets me apart from other teachers, but I try to approach each day with being positive, kind, and fun. I try not to get too upset with students while still holding them to high standards that I know they’re capable of. I also try to really get to know students and bring their different personalities into the classroom – it just makes things more fun and it makes students feel important.

M: Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities?

H: I want to be! If you want to start a club, come see me and we’ll chat!

M: What is your favorite movie?

H: The Departed.

M: Favorite book?

H: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

M: Favorite quote?

H: “You are the Michelangelo of your own life. The David you are sculpting is you.”--Joe Vitale

M: Favorite apps?

H: Instagram (follow my teacher account! @senorita_holway), Good Reads, Fitness, Co-Star, NPR One.

M: Favorite sports team?

H: Any of the Boston teams, Argentina National Team.

M: Dunks or Starbucks?

H: BIG Starbucks gal. My former and current students definitely know this about me.

M: How do you take your coffee?

H: Vanilla sweet cream cold brew from Starbucks. Extra sweet cream.

M: Which artist are you currently streaming the most?

H: My most listened to artist right now is Bad Bunny.

M: What do you believe to be your greatest accomplishment?

H: Hearing positive feedback from students about my class or how I’ve helped them with their lives. Knowing you made a difference is the best feeling in the world, and I’m so honored I can do that for Dedham students.

Fiona McCafferty, class of 2025, is a Features Reporter for the Dedham Mirror. She also competes as a marauder on the field hockey, swim, and lacrosse teams. In her free time she enjoys going to the beach, skiing and traveling with her friends and family.