Alyssa Jodoin, known as Ms. J, has been a dedicated educator at The Columbus School. She previously taught Art of Fiction; this school year marks her launch into AP Literature classes.

Before we delve into her classes, we sat down with Ms. Jodoin to learn about her journey. Originally from Northern Ontario, Canada, she’s entering her sixth year at the school. Despite the challenges of instructing AP literature, she expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to teach such a prestigious course.

“It has been a lot of fun, I’ve had the chance to revisit many texts from my college days that I haven’t explored in quite some time,” Jodoin said.

Ms. Jodoin teaches Art of Fiction and AP Literature, stressing the importance of preparing students for the AP exam.

“In addition to covering the curriculum, you must be aware of the exam’s questions and specific books students need to have read,” Jodoin said.

She notes how many English classes revolve around life lessons and narratives, though they vary in creativity. AP Lit is more structured, while Art of Fiction allows creative expression.

Managing three courses this year, she admits that it demands meticulous planning and affects her grading pace. Her favorite aspect of teaching AP is witnessing her students’ eagerness to grow.

“The conversations about feedback and growth are inspiring,” Jodoin said.

Ms. Jodoin plans to continue teaching AP Literature, anticipating increased difficulty as students tackle larger, pre-1900s literature. While she prefers literature, she’s enthusiastic about journalism but remains biased toward the Art of Fiction. Notably, this year, she observed a remarkable similarity between her 11th-grade and senior students. She emphasizes the unity and enthusiasm across grade levels in her AP Lit class.

“Everyone has come in with a mature growth mindset and excitement to learn,” Jodoin said.

To conclude, Ms. Jodoin provides for her top recommendation to AP Lit students.

“Keep reading the feedback and trying new ways of writing because every time you think you’ve solved one issue, you might have created another. That’s very normal in writing – just keep pushing through,” Jodoin said.

Ms. Alyssa Jodoin’s dedication and passion for teaching shine through in every aspect of her work. As she shapes the minds of TCS students, they receive an education filled with inspiration, enthusiasm, and a love for literature that will stay with them throughout their lives. As she looks ahead to her future at TCS and beyond, we wish her continued success and fulfillment in her teaching career.