Meet Liz Wei, who teaches English and Social Studies in the Lower School. She and Dave have two boys: Harrison, who is in the sixth grade at Fenn, and Alec, a soon to be new fourth grader at Fenn.
Q: What drew you to Fenn fifteen years ago?
A: When I visited the school for my interview, I got to participate in All School Meeting. When I found myself in joyful tears as we watched a video of a track meet, I knew Fenn was the place I had to be!
Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching at Fenn?
A: There are so many things, but the best one is the pervasive sense of community. Whatever the situation, positive or negative, we’re all in it together. It makes for a great vibe!
Q: What do you hope boys come away with after being in your classes?
A: I know it sounds trite, but I want boys to come away with a love of learning and an interest in doing the best they can at whatever intrigues them. In addition, I hope they leave with skills such as perseverance and independence.
Q: As a parent of a Fenn boy, what do you think the School has done for your son?
A: Fenn, and specifically Harrison’s fourth grade advisor, have given him the student skills that he lacked; they include asking for help when he needs it, participating actively in the classroom, learning how to engage in class activities and discussions, and sitting down to do his work right away. There’s still room for improvement, of course, but it was amazing to see the difference in Harrison by the end of the school year. Fenn’s varied sports and arts options are one of the things I not only knew would be best for Harrison, but also the most challenging. He now enjoys sports more and has discovered he loves drama. He also made several close friends and he loves going to school every day. In fact, in July he told me that he couldn’t wait for school to start!
Q: What are your passions and interests outside of teaching?
A: I love being a mom and a wife. Beyond that, singing is my number one passion; plus, I always have a stack of books at my bedside.