Teachers

Quest California is a K-12th private writing and reading program guiding students toward self-discovery, cultural awareness, and academic excellence.

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Alyssa shares her passion and methods for teaching students:

I want my students to know how to read and write effectively, adequately, and joyfully because the skill of writing will help them grow in their professions, higher education, and self-development. 

My teaching philosophies are grounded in student agency and love because I believe that students’ “I” statements serve as the bridge between critical thinking, value systems, and understanding of the wider world. It is imperative that students feel safe and secure in their writing to be vulnerable with their thoughts and ideas. The greatest skill I can offer my students is kindness and understanding. I want my students to have the space to make mistakes, be frustrated, and ask questions to strengthen and develop their critical thinking and analytical writing skills. I love teaching literature. I love how it can mirror our worlds and push against single narratives to expand our worldviews and bridge compassion and understanding.

Alyssa: “As a teacher, I aim to create a space for students from all walks of life to bring their version of self-expression into the literary arts. Student expression is essential for growth and development; only some students can access a healthy support system or coping tools. My greatest hope for my students is that I can help instill the tactile skill of integrating their voices into the world through creative self-expression. If I reach just one student and let them know that they are good the way they are— my job is complete.“

Erica shares her passion and methods for teaching students:

During the summer of 2019, I taught a creative writing class for underprivileged high school students at Evergreen Valley College. Throughout the summer program, I really put effort into getting to know my students and focused on creating an atmosphere that was fun but still educational. On the last day of class, one of my students, America, asked me what I thought should be the next book she picked up before school started in the fall. I suggested The Bell Jar, and she was instantly hesitant. “I heard Sylvia Plath is, like, super depressing,” America said. I told her to give it a try, and whether she liked the story or not, I’d love to hear her thoughts. The following week, I got a text message from America expressing her love for the book. “I see a lot of myself in Esther. I feel seen,” she wrote. And for the next hour, she continued to text me about the literary devices Plath used in the novel that she truly enjoyed. Experiences like that are the reason I love teaching English.

I don’t believe teaching is a one-way street. I learn from my students just as much as they learn from me. I want students to feel comfortable communicating their opinions, trying different writing styles, and feeling safe expressing the many emotions we go through whenever we’re learning something new. I teach from an empathetic and understanding standpoint, which I am confident is why America felt she could voice her thoughts before she read The Bell Jar and after.

Erica: “Our words are so incredibly significant and for a variety of reasons. Through reading literature, we absorb so much about each character and the situations they find themselves in. But we also learn life lessons, we hear different perspectives, and we grow from each piece that we choose to dive into. The words we read on the page can easily transcribe to how we navigate the world around us. I love teaching English because there is nothing more beautiful than the moment a young learner realizes the weight of their own words; There is nothing more exciting than watching students get lost in their new favorite book.“