Who is Mrs. Locke?

Mrs. Locke is an English teacher at New Rochelle High School. She has worked at NRHS since 2015 and has also taught in Brooklyn from 1997 to 2008. Mrs. Locke’s favorite thing about New Rochelle High School is the diverse environment. She loves how whenever she is walking in the halls, she sees all different kinds of faces that represent so many different cultures, traditions, and places around the world. Mrs. Locke said, “Despite all of our differences, we have a real sense of community at New Rochelle High School.” She also really likes that the school has various clubs and organizations representing the different cultures and interests of the student body.

Mrs. Locke is a first-generation American. Her parents prioritized education and Argentine culture and traditions. Most of her choices in life are influenced by her childhood and watching her parents work long days and weeks to provide their children with enough opportunities. Even though she witnessed financial challenges at home, she is grateful she was aware of the struggle. It made her strive and work harder in order to have a brighter and more financially secure future. Her parents’ divorce made her wish to find a life partner who is not only the love of her life, but also a trustworthy best friend with whom she could live forever while raising a family. She found all of these traits in her husband, Sean. 

Mrs. Locke’s experiences in life also influenced her career path. For her first two years in college, she believed she was going to be a lawyer and attend law school. She knew she would be following her parents’ dreams for her, but not her own dreams. In college, Mrs. Locke fell in love with her English classes and realized that she wanted to help first-generation Americans pursue their educational dreams. She believes that teaching is her calling; it gives her a sense of purpose, and she is forever grateful that she followed her own dreams and became an English teacher.

Mrs. Locke’s husband would describe her as organized and passionate about the things she cares about and values in her life, such as reading, spending time with her children, and her puppy, Casey. The accomplishment of which she is most proud is her determination to pursue an education, because her parents couldn't afford to help her attend college. Mrs. Locke waited tables for years in order to be able to afford higher education. She attended SUNY Albany, Columbia University Teachers College, and the Principals Institute at Bank Street College of Education. She paid for her BA in English and Education and two master’s degrees on her own. Mrs. Locke went through all of this with no regrets and said she would not change anything, because without these experiences, she would not have become the person she is today. 

Mrs. Locke has many thoughts and opinions on Black History Month and Women's History Month. As an English teacher, Mrs. Locke believes that Black History Month gives people an opportunity to celebrate Black authors. Although she is a strong believer that literature should always be diverse and rich, this period of time is a reminder to make sure that literature reflects all people, no matter their skin color. She shared, “...especially adding Black voices and Black narratives to the classroom setting and honoring some powerful, significant, bright Black authors who have contributed to the world of literature is important.” When it comes to women’s rights today, Mrs. Locke feels that, as a woman, “...we are getting closer and closer to equality but we are not there yet.” It infuriates Mrs. Locke that it is 2021 and women around the world are still treated as “second class citizens.”  The fact that women still have to march for the right to make decisions about their own bodies makes her “blood boil.”  It also baffles her that women are not getting paid equally compared to their male counterparts. Mrs. Locke is really happy that the U.S. finally has a female vice president, but she asked, “What took so long?”