By Kate Hyland, Online Editor-in-Chief
Sarah Wysock, spanish teacher
Q. How long have you been a teacher?
A. This is my third year as a teacher. I worked for two years at Evanston Township High School, and now I am here and at Hersey.
Q. How long have you wanted to become a teacher?
A. I knew I wanted to become a teacher when I was 18 years old. I’ve always loved Spanish and for a while everyone in my life was telling me to not become a teacher because they said I could do something to make more money. For a while I believed them, but after I went to college and spent time around other people who wanted to be teachers I decided to go with my gut, so I changed my major.
Q. Have you ever traveled abroad?
A. I spent a semester in college in Spain; I’ve been to Mexico a few times but more for vacations. And then this summer I was in Guatemala for two weeks. I lived with a family that I did community service with … I love to travel; I wish I had more time to do it.
Q. Did you always know you wanted to teach Spanish?
A. I knew I liked Spanish because my junior year [Spanish] teacher was outstanding, and I just realized how much I loved Spanish. Then when I was 16 I got my first job at Al’s Beef … and a lot of my coworkers only spoke Spanish, so it was nice because I had to use my Spanish to connect with them, and they’re the most wonderful, friendly, fun people. But I only got to know them because of my Spanish, so it gave me a lot of motivation to continue.
Q. How has Prospect been so far? Different from other places you have been?
A. What I love about Prospect is the collaboration of everybody; everyone is so generous and willing to share ideas to help you out. And they’re also so willing to listen to what you have to say and I think that’s very important.
Q. What do you like to do outside of school?
A. I like to listen to reggaeton music, which is like Spanish pop hip-hop. I love listening to that; I just went to the Daddy Yankee concert last week. I really like to work out … I just like spending time with friends and family; just being outside with them, especially in the summer and fall when it’s still nice.
Q. What is your favorite part about teaching?
A. My favorite part about teaching is just the students. Especially in high school they’re so fun and have these wonderful senses of humor, and … I think they challenge me to think differently every day.