Lisa M. Mueller

Ed.M. TEP (TAC) '03

High School Social Studies

(will be certified in Political Science/Political Philosophy)

Facts:

Lisa started at HGSE one month after graduating from Syracuse University, where she earned a B.A. in Public Policy Studies and concentrated on educational policy issues. As an undergrad, Lisa was an active volunteer and community service programmer in the city of Syracuse and realized teaching was her true calling after teaching public policy at the High School for Leadership & Public Service in New York City. Lisa also studied inclusive education policies in Italy.

"It has certainly helped me to have teaching/tutoring/mentoring experience before coming to Harvard - the quick immersion into teaching can be a shock otherwise." She admits that team teaching with three other people at the Cambridge Summer Academy her first summer on campus was a challenge. "I think the key to interacting with students is being honest with them about who you are and what you're doing with them. When I teach I tell my kids that I love them and that I am so happy to be with them -- they think I'm cheesy but they know I mean it. I think it motivated them a little bit this summer knowing that I didn't think it was a chore to be at summer school."

Often recognized for her big, bad, curly hair and her bright-orange (Syracuse-proud) clothing, Lisa is quickly becoming an assertive and committed young teacher. She plans to return to teaching in New York City after completing her studies at Harvard.

Inside Scoop:

"Teaching and learning are the most natural and common human experiences - every person at some point in time has the experience of being taught something and of teaching someone else something new. It is truly amazing. Sometimes I feel like being in schools with kids is oxygen; if I didn't have that in my life I don't know that I would always be able to breathe."

"It is important to become a committed, reflective teacher because there are not enough of them teaching our students right now - especially in our urban public schools. More importantly, every teacher needs to be expert on differentiated instruction because every single kid, regardless of ability, learns in a different way than his or her classmates."

"Teaching is the most difficult job I have ever heard about, experienced, or can imagine. I have also learned a lot about the different roles that content teachers take on for their students. For example, even math and science teachers need to be reading and writing teachers."