Monica Groves

Ed.M. TEP (TAC) '07

Middle School English

Facts:

While growing up in Michigan, Monica Groves had as many ideas about what she wanted to do with her life as there was snow. There was only one profession that was not an option, and that was teaching. She couldn’t imagine being the one in the front of the classroom— sometimes loved and sometimes not— demanding the respect of a class. Although future careers changed throughout the years, one thing remained the same - she loved being a student. Monica’s studies led her to attend the University of Virginia where she double majored in her two passions, English Language and Literature and Spanish. During her time at UVA, Monica thrived as a member of Resident Staff, and the unforgettable influence of two professors in particular inspired her to reconsider her outlook on teaching. 

Nearing her fourth year of study (Jefferson didn’t believe you could be a senior in learning), Monica suddenly found herself considering the career she was once certain she would never pursue - a career as an educator. At the same time, Teach For America had a strong presence on her college campus, urging upcoming graduates to commit two years to teach in a low-income area. Commit she did. Following graduation, Monica was on her way to Atlanta to begin her first year of teaching as a 6th grade Language Arts teacher, and unexpectedly, as the subject of a documentary. Dateline NBC chronicled the highs and lows of her classroom over the course of a year and fittingly titled the documentary The Education of Ms. Groves. 

Monica appreciates her pathway to teaching and she greatly values the education she received as a double major in English and Spanish. Nevertheless, after two years of teaching and many thoughtful reflections, her enthusiasm to become a more effective urban educator compelled her to attend a program that would further develop her pedagogy and responsiveness to the social and economic diversity found in public schools today. Harvard's urban-focused Teacher Education Program offered that opportunity. Having completed her Masters in Teaching and Curriculum through Harvard's TEP, Monica is currently teaching 8th grade English at the same school where her teaching career began as a Teach For America corps member. The location may be the same, but theteacher has certainly changed.... for the better.

Inside Scoop:

"TEP gave me the theoretical foundation, practice, and community to explore educational issues with a higher level of analysis. I was able to further analyze what I experienced as an educator in my classroom, school, and district, while developing a more comprehensive understanding of the unique needs and challenges of urban education. I truly gained tools for thinking, and more importantly, problem solving, and I will continue to use that no matter where I am in education."
"I truly value the fellowship with like-minded and passionate educators that I gained through TEP. You spend a very intense year together, but the relationships you build extend beyond that year. You leave with a network of talented educators throughout the country that you can continue to collaborate with and be inspired by."

“HGSE is what I like to call an even-exchange environment. There is so much expertise to take advantage of, but your input and participation is equally valued and needed. I appreciated that my experiences, whatever those may have been, were valued by professors and students alike. So, whatever fears you have about not knowing enough of “x” or not having enough experience in “y”, leave that behind! Everyone has something to gain and contribute at HGSE.”