There are many new teachers that Seven Hills has welcomed into its community, including a new member of the English department, Alison Roberson. Besides working at Seven Hills, Roberson described some of the things she likes to do, which included reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Roberson had previously been teaching at St. Xavier High School for 24 years. She mentioned how it was time for a change, even though she appreciated where she was at. “Change is necessary and good to get you refreshed,” Roberson said. She decided that it was the right time and that she was at a “good stage for making a change.”

Roberson was amazed with the variety of activities and students here at Seven Hills, as well as many opportunities that people are able to take advantage of. “[There are] just a wealth of opportunities,” Roberson said She enjoys the many different aspects of arts, classes, and sports that the school has to offer.

Roberson also offered advice for herself, as a self evaluation. “I am good at getting to know students, [and] getting to know people,” Roberson said. She mentioned that her emotional awareness is well sought, allowing her to  excel in helping her students reach their needs.

English teacher Tricia Hoar, who has known Roberson for over 20 years, stated her strengths. “Ms.Roberson’s vast experience, keen intelligence, witty sense of humor, and absolute joy in learning are her greatest strengths,” Hoar said.

There are also things that Roberson believes she could improve on, such as “knowing what individual classes need.” She wants to challenge her students, but not to the point where they are too frustrated. “[I am] trying to find that balance and learning what people can do, and where I’m asking for something they’re not ready for,” Roberson said. She wants to make sure that she considers individual students as well, and wants to be thoughtful about how she challenges each student.

Roberson’s wisdom is echoed, as mentioned by one of her colleagues.“I know very few teachers who pursue professional development to the extent Ms.Roberson does. She is a lifelong learner and it shows in her teaching,” Hoar said.

Roberson’s goals for herself include trying to learn the culture, as “everything is different” here, in terms of the environment and the culture. She also wants to provide students with the tools that they need to help them succeed. Her goals for her students include learning about the importance and the values of what they are reading and gaining a respect for reading and other peoples stories. She mentioned how the stories that the students read are important because “they are all working to tell us something about ourselves or human kind.”

Roberson hopes that something her students can take away from her is learning to relax and to trust her. “I am working for your best interest,” Roberson said. For her colleagues, she would love to know what is going on in other people’s classes. “If [they] have a good idea, [she] will take it,” Roberson said.

If Roberson could describe the school using one phrase, it would be “beautiful facilities, variety of students, and iconoclastic.” Seven Hills is excited to accept this new teacher in their community.

Seven Hills has now welcomed a new member of the English department into our community. “Seven Hills is lucky to have Ms.Roberson, and I’m so happy to be her colleague. The English Department and her students will benefit from her wisdom and compassion,” Hoar said.