Jodie De Jesus ’21
As we start off this unconventional school year, we also officially welcome Ms. McGroarty to the Upper School! Featured below is an interview with Ms. McGroarty, in which she reflects on the year so far and shares her hopes for the future:
Q: Why did you choose Oak Knoll?
For me, there were three main reasons. First, the all-girls aspect. I’ve been teaching an all-girls education for the past 15 years, and I’m a firm believer in the supportive, nurturing community of an all-girls middle and high school. It helps girls create their own voice, gives them ownership, and empowers them. It’s truly incredible! Second, returning to a Catholic school was very important to me. I started my career in education in a Catholic school and I’ve missed it ever since. Getting to be surrounded by faith is really a highlight of my every day. And finally, I chose Oak Knoll because of it being 7th through 12th. I’ve taught middle school over different times in my career, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the middle school aspect. And Oak Knoll is incredibly unique in that the Upper School is 7th through 12th. It’s a great opportunity for the younger girls to look up to the seniors and also having teachers working across those grade levels.
Q: How has your adjustment been to Oak Knoll so far?
My adjustment has been very good! Oak Knoll is such a welcoming community, where everybody pitches in and helps out. I’ve learned so much over the past 3 months, but I think one of the wonderful things is that I’ve actually known the community for a year now. So I’ve had the opportunity over that past year to get to know the different aspects of the school before being here. This weekend will actually be a year to date from my first time on campus!
Q: What has been the most difficult part about trying to operate the school amidst the COVID-19 pandemic?
I would say the hardest part is not seeing faces and having everybody in masks. I think we’ve all learned how to have our eyes be very expressive in ways that we might not have paid attention to before! And it’s also hard not being able to be together as a community. To not be in Campion is so different. It’s a special place to be in there and have everyone in one area. You can see all the different grade levels, and it’s especially nice for the younger girls to get to see the seniors up front in their blue sweaters.
Q: How about the best/most positive part?
Definitely the collaborations and the community. Despite all these barriers, you still see it everywhere. From the faculty helping take temperatures in the mornings to students thinking of different ways to bring that sense of community. Everyone is trying to reimagine things, so that we can make the most of our current situation. While we know that there’s things we can’t change, rather than staying in that place, I think we’re all thinking “Well, what CAN we do?” So COVID-19 has really forced us to think outside-the-box and collaborate in ways that we might not have had to before.
Q: What are your goals for this year and how have they changed since COVID-19 hit?
I don’t know if my goals have necessarily changed. My goal is to get to know the community, and though getting to do that might look different now, I still want to do so!
Q: What are you looking forward to the most for the remainder of this school year?
I’m looking forward to really engaging with you girls, through student council and different conversations, about ways that we can continue to build community and work within the COVID-19 constraints. I feel like we’ve found our rhythm and are settled in with these new adjustments, and now we’re at a moment where we can really think about what we want to do with the rest of the year, what we want to shift, and what should stay the same. The student council has been very good at brainstorming ideas, as has the senior class with coming up with some senior privileges. As students and teachers keep talking about these things together, I think we’ll really be able to figure out what the right thing is for Oak Knoll and we’re in a good place to start having those conversations. So even though it’s a different year, there’s still a lot of possibilities!
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
I don’t think many girls know, but I’m actually teaching a Theology 7 class. I absolutely love it, and the first unit is all about Cornelia Connelly, so I get to learn more about her alongside the students.
Q: Do you have a favorite OKS lunch yet? If so, what is it?
My absolute favorite is the fried chicken! I also love the chicken tenders, which was the first lunch of the school year. So basically any version of fried chicken!
Q: What are some of your favorite spots on campus?
I love the chapel, especially the stained-glass window in there. It’s so beautiful, and it really speaks to collaboration, the power of an idea, and the talents of the students. I find a sense of peace every time I walk in there. And another one of my favorite spots is my office window. It’s beautifully-positioned so that I really get to see the hustle and bustle of you girls coming and going from class or having lunch outside. It’s just a nice front row view of the community.
Q: And last but not least, how is Luna liking Oak Knoll?
She adores it! She loves you girls, and she wishes she could be on campus everyday. Maybe we’ll figure out with Ms. Robinson how to get Luna her own school schedule! She’s also made a lot of friends in the neighborhood, and they come over for doggy playdates a lot. And when she’s watching from the backyard, she even gets to see some of you girls in the morning when you’re parking on Ashland!