High School English Teacher
I learned more from CSP's faculty because they got to know me on a personal level so they could guide me to different plays, books, and resources that would help me be successful in the classroom and in my future career."
From an early age, Latisha Thomas knew she wanted to share her love for reading and writing with future generations. She graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul with her 5-12 Communication Arts and Literature degree in 2016, then came back and got her MFA in Creative Writing in 2019. Currently, she’s teaching English at Alden-Conger High School. Read our Q and A with Latisha below!
Q: What made you want to become an English teacher?
A: I chose to be an English teacher because my 7th/8th grade English teacher was so passionate about what she did, and she encouraged me to become a better writer. She made learning grammar and reading fun! I wanted to do what she did, and my high school English teacher also encouraged me to embrace my writing, which made me want to help other students with their writing and analysis of Literature.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your career decision?
A: When my kids come back to visit me or ask me for help, even if they are in college, and bonding with kids and encouraging them to become more than they ever thought possible.
Q: Concordia’s campus is an urban, diverse location. In what ways did these campus attributes help prepare you for your career?
A: As a teacher, it helped me learn and understand different cultures and different ways that people can express who they are. I have become a more empathetic person who is willing to have open dialogues about controversial topics and see a situation through multi-perspectives. This has allowed me to form connections with my students to help them succeed in a subject area that can be tough to learn.
Q: Do you feel that you established significant relationships with the faculty? What importance did those relationships have in the quality of your classroom experience?
A: I bonded with the education and English professors/staff. I still talk to some of them from time to time. I love all the English professors, especially Dr. Beilke and Matt Ryan. They are always checking in and making sure that I am doing well, even though I am no longer a student. I learned more from them because they got to know me on a personal level, so they could guide me to different plays, books, and resources that would help me be successful in the classroom and in my future career.