Whether it’s traveling, swimming, or teaching, Spanish Teacher Mrs. Katie Scavia is bringing a wide range of experiences to the Bishop’s campus. After teaching as a long term Spanish substitute for Spanish Teacher Mr. Gregg Luna last year, she opted to return to Bishop’s — this time as the new middle school Spanish Teacher.
Q: What motivated you to return to Bishop’s this year and what are your expectations for this year?
I had a lot of fun last year. The new position is a middle school position, and so I was excited. Teaching middle school is my background, and I wanted to come back in that capacity. My expectations for the year? I think, to have [the students] to be happy about learning a language, and to build a culture of language being something that is challenging, but also is the most fun subject that you could have.
Q: How do you plan to use your experience teaching freshman at Bishop’s last year to enhance your middle school lessons this year.
Teaching middle school can be different because the consequences of their actions can maybe not be as dramatic as if you’re a junior trying to get certain grades. You’re not as likely to push yourself as hard, to take as many risks, and make as many errors. So, I plan on taking what I did last year, but pushing the students even harder because the [negative] consequences of trying and failing will not be as dramatic. What I discovered last year was that there’s a general sort of fear of failure and fear of doing poorly, even if it didn’t count. So, I plan on just giving them lots of opportunities to fail, and enjoy that failure.
Q: What inspired you to start teaching Spanish specifically?
I didn’t set out to be a Spanish teacher. I applied to a lot of other things at the end of college, as I’m sure a lot of students here will, but all these opportunities that seemed like the logical next step didn’t work out for me. I didn’t get them and I didn’t know what to do.
So I ended up having to move back home with my parents and I became a substitute teacher. I’d never worked with kids. I’d never babysat kids. I’d never been part of that world. But I did [substitute teaching] full time for a year, which means every single day I was in a different classroom. I taught in 10 different schools and over the course of a year I probably interacted with over 2000 different students.
I was just so surprised at how fun it was, and how it sort of matched my personality. There’s a lot of room for creativity and joy, and so success in that realm of things really motivated me to move into teaching.
And then Spanish because [of] the experiences that I’ve had [with] people who speak Spanish—from travel to meeting my husband who is Peruvian …to jobs that I’ve had. I’ve led trips to Costa Rica, doing adventure travel, all those experiences I couldn’t have had unless I spoke Spanish. And those experiences have all been positive. So I wanted to take this thing that gives me a lot of happiness and help other people to have this happiness as well. So that’s how I chose Spanish.
Q: What was your first impression of Bishop’s and how has that changed as you’ve taught here?
My first impression is that there is a lot of energy here, and that there’s a lot of excitement about the school and being a part of it. I still feel that way, but now I can see that the administration, staff, teachers and the parents work hard to create nice experiences for the students. I always see people doing things, there’s always a thoughtful event happening on campus.
Q: Is there anything you enjoy doing outside of teaching?
Well, right now I’m training to swim across the bay to Coronado, from the San Diego Convention Center to the island. I do a lot of open water swimming. I also enjoy exploring new places and trying new foods.
Q: Where are your top three favorite places to travel?
I did my study abroad in Cuba, in Havana. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite place, but it was the most interesting place I’ve ever been, because politics and life meld together. We took old fashioned cars to school, and lived on the ration card system. So that’s up there.
And then I actually really love Las Vegas. Because it’s such an interesting place. I like how they’re trying to create an experience for people, and you know, teaching is a lot like that too. You’re trying to create this experience, and I love how they use the texture, or lighting, or sounds, or smells to do that. I don’t gamble, but I just think that sort of the science of Las Vegas is really amazing.
Finally, Costa Rica because it’s a really simple place to visit. The people are generally friendly. There’s lots of outdoor things to do. It’s easy to get around, they’ve made a lot of good roads. And then they have amazing biodiversity. And it’s where [I] learned Spanish and where I’ve worked and lived. So, I have a special connection to it.
Q: Is there anything that you think the Bishop’s community should know about you?
I’m a supportive person and I’m happy to be a listening ear for people who need support. Just know if you’re looking for someone to chat to, I can play that role.
