Mirror: What classes do you teach?

Levine: English 2 CP1 and CP2.

M: How long have you been teaching?

L: This will be my 10th year.

M: Where have you taught before?

L: I've taught in Boston during my previous years. Last year, I taught at Boston Prep Charter School.

M: Where are you from?

L: I grew up in Sharon--not too far from Dedham. The only reason I came to Dedham growing up was for the movie theater that has since been torn down and turned into Legacy Place.

M: Where did you go to college?

L: I started at the University of Kentucky and then transferred to UMass Amherst. I'm still a big Kentucky basketball fan.

M: What inspired you to become a teacher?

L: I've always enjoyed working with kids and I didn't have the best high school experience, myself, so I hope to be the teacher I wish I had in high school.

M: What are your pet peeves in the classroom?

L: I like to think I'm a pretty calm teacher, but I do not like it when people are speaking or blatantly ignoring (on phone or listening to their air pods) when another student is speaking to the class.

M: What jobs did you have before teaching?

L: I worked as a camp counselor at the Foxboro YMCA in high school and I'm still a counselor in the summers today, but now I work at Nobles Day Camp. In college, I spent multiple summers as an intern at local newspapers like The Patriot Ledger and The Sun Chronicle.

M: Why did you decide to come to Dedham?

L: I was looking for a school with the history and tradition that Dedham has for setting students up for success in their future.

M: Anything about Dedham that’s surprised you, so far?

L: The layout of the streets of Boston makes more geographic sense than this building does.

M: What do you like most about teaching?

L:  I enjoy building relationships with students and watching them experience growth they may not have thought they could achieve at first.

M: What is your greatest personal accomplishment?

L: Being interviewed by the Dedham Mirror. Hands down.

M: What are your hobbies?

L: I enjoy getting outside and camping/hiking, watching/discussing sports, and listening to/discussing music.

M: What is your favorite movie?

L: Good Will Hunting. Easy.

M: What is your favorite sport to play? To watch?

L: My favorite sport to play was baseball. I still play in a slow pitch softball league to try to relive my glory days, but my athletic days are definitely behind me. It ends, everyone. Enjoy it while it lasts. My favorite sport to watch is probably football or basketball.

M: What is your favorite food or drink?

L: My favorite food is pizza. All types, but if I had to pick a specific topping, it's buffalo chicken pizza. I'm basic with what I drink. I drink water all the time.

M: What are you most looking forward to this school year?

L: I'm looking forward to getting to know my students even better and becoming a part of the Dedham community!