By Alexis Broderick – News Editor

Ms. Doolan is a science teacher at Jonathan Law. She has been teaching for two years and is excited for the many more years to come. Doolan has taught Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry & the Earth System, and The Living Earth while at Law. She attended Seton Hall University, which in her opinion is the very best school in the Big East Conference. She has major Pirate Pride because Seton Hall is the better blue in her eyes. At Law, Doolan has helped out with the Science Club. Last year, she was able to attend the Science Olympiad competition with the team and assisted in the Disease Detectives section at the competition.

Doolan has also become a huge fan of the Law basketball teams this year. It started when she played in the student vs. faculty game in the fall and then continued when she turned English teacher Ms. Kelly into a basketball fan so she would have someone to go to the games with. Doolan and Kelly went to most of the girls and boys home games and had a ton of fun playing in the Cornhole Tournament. She also went to watch the girls’ incredible win against Berlin in this year’s state tournament, which was followed up with a celebratory dinner at Chick-fil-a (because, as she says, it’s better than Wendy’s) in her hometown of Newington!

Alexis Broderick: Why did you become a teacher? 

Ms. Doolan: I became a teacher because I have always loved working with kids. I started working with kids as a camp counselor at YMCA Camp Mohawk in Litchfield, CT when I was in high school. I still work at the same camp over the summer but I’m now the Leadership Development Director in charge of the Counselor in Training program. It was while I was working as a counselor that I realized how much I love working with the adolescent age group, which is why I went into secondary education!

AB: What do you like most about teaching? 

MD: I have two favorite things about teaching. I love teaching science because of the “aha” moments that happen when my students are able to think critically about the content we’re studying and apply it to the world around us. Because after all, science is everywhere! My other favorite thing about teaching is the connections that I am able to make with my students. I love all of the random conversations that I have with my students because that’s when I get to learn more about them, what they love, and who they are as people!

AB: What are you doing to pass the time at home? 

MD: I am planning, grading, and contacting my students every day. My favorite part of our virtual school day is when I am able to talk with my students that show up to our google meets. Besides distance teaching, I am spending a lot of time with my dog and my parents. I also gave myself a haircut a few weeks ago. I was just going to trim the split ends but ended up taking off a good amount! I’m trying to get outside as much as can, especially with the nice weather we’ve had recently. I’ve been doing everything from taking a short walk with my mom and dog to going on a five mile hike with Ms. Kelly. I also plan on teaching Ms. Kelly how to play basketball soon so stay tuned to see how that works out!

AB: What is your favorite Netflix show or movie that you recently watched?

MD:I’ve been watching a lot of sitcoms recently. I’ve started watching “The Good Place” and “Schitt’s Creek.” I’ve also been rewatching “Parks & Rec” and “The Office.” I really like these shows because I can kind of just have them on in the background while I’m doing other things!

AB: What do you want to say to your fellow teachers and students?

MD: I miss you all so much and I can’t until we can be all together again in person! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Enjoy the beautiful weather that we’ve been having by getting outside and doing something fun! I’ll see you when I see you, and I hope I’ll see you soon!