Enjoy a Q & A with Caitlin Hay, Girls Program Math Teacher and FBRA Head of Technology.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Looking back, I can see so many instances that make me think, “Ah yes, of course, teaching is what I am meant to do,” but in reality, the path to becoming a teacher was never one I consciously chose. I have always felt drawn to education, to sharing knowledge, to learning alongside others, to opening the world of science to anyone and everyone willing to listen. Knowing this about myself now, it makes perfect sense that I was initially drawn to the Hatter Planetarium in the physics building at Gettysburg College as my first job. Presenting and educating about stars and planets and constellations and the myths that surround them felt so powerful to me; to be able to use my words to increase the knowledge of the people around me or to inspire curiosity or ignite a new passion in anyone listening, was incredible. From there, I found myself in tutoring roles, informal education roles, and teaching assistant roles, all with the connective thread of helping those around me to understand what is being presented and feel inspired to learn. In the end, it was the “aha” moment, the “oooohhhhh” sound, the nearly-audible “click” when a student makes a connection or solves a problem or finally gets something they have been grappling with that inspired me to become a teacher.
How long have you been teaching and why did you choose to teach at FBRA?
I have been teaching for ten years now: three teaching high school physics at a private school outside of Quito, Ecuador, and seven with French Broad River Academy. While I was living in Ecuador, a visiting friend told me about this amazing school that was opening a new Girls Program back in Asheville, so when I moved back to the area, I immediately looked it up. After subbing at FBRA for a year, I was ready to move on and out of Asheville, on the hunt for a job or career or more schooling that would help me grow and find me fulfillment, when the 8th grade math position came open and I jumped on it. I chose to work at FBRA for the community, the amazing students, the empowerment, and the amount I have had the opportunity to learn through the experience myself.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandmother. Or Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is cool, too.
What is the first concert you ever attended?
Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you. I am not a huge fan of large concerts, what with the noise, the standing, the crowds, and also the noise. However, I went to an absolutely amazing Counting Crows concert in Nashville this summer that was a gift from my parents. I have loved the Counting Crows for so long and they really lived up to all my expectations.
What superpower would you choose if you could have one?
If I could choose one superpower, it would be teleportation. The world is out there and just waiting for me to explore it. No airport lines for me!
What is the craziest job you have ever had?
The coolest and maybe craziest job I have ever had was as a zip-line guide. I got to zipline all day, hang out with cool people, chill in the woods, learn even more about native plants, teach guests about native plants, and even help maintain the course. What could be cooler? But honestly, I absolutely loved the thrill of flying 50 miles per hour between mountain ridges on the longest zipline in the Southeastern United States. And even better, between each of the ziplines we were encouraged to teach our guests about the geography and geology of our area, local plant knowledge, cool tree facts, and I just loved it. I guess I really have been a teacher this whole time….
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
This is a very difficult question, because the answer is everywhere. But, if I had to pick one at this moment, I would love to go to Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii. Mauna Kea is the mountain that has the claim to fame of being the tallest mountain on earth (at a height of 33,000 feet tall), when measured from base to summit (although only about 13,800 feet of that is above sea level). On the top of Mauna Kea are some of the most important land-based astronomical observatories in the world, and although I regret that the large buildings were built on a mountain that is considered sacred, I would not pass up the opportunity to visit these incredible scientific instruments. And of course, that means that this site has one of the darkest skies of the world, and I would love to go just to appreciate the stars for their beauty.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not teaching at FBRA?
When I am not teaching, my favorite thing to do is explore and hike in the mountains. We live in such a beautiful area of North Carolina, and I feel so lucky to get to experience it right out my back door. This ecosystem is one of the most biologically diverse in the world, and there is a never ending amount of plants to learn and mushrooms to eat and trees to climb. Then, the view at the top is just the icing on the cake.