Photo by Grace Denninger
Josh Walensky
News Reporter
This year, Newton South is welcoming new teacher, Dr. Kandice Sumner, into the English department.
Sumner has a PhD in education, and loves to teach. Her extensive teaching background includes spending ten years in the Boston Public Schools system. Sumner taught for 7 years at TechBoston Academy, and 3 years at Fenway High School. This year is Dr. Sumner’s first time teaching at Newton Public Schools, and she is excited for the year ahead.
“The kids here really want to learn and have meaningful conversations about the good stuff,” Sumner said.
This year, Sumner teaches 10th grade World Literature and 12th grade African American Literature. Like many other teachers, she is extremely interested in the curriculum that she is teaching, and is excited to dive in to the year. Sumner especially enjoys the diversity in her courses, as they reflect many different world perspectives and views.
“To me English is life. In English you really talk about things that matter, like your thoughts and opinions, and how well you present those ideas,” Sumner said.
Dr. Sumner is most excited to show Newton South her true self, as well as watching her students grow not only academically, but also as people.
“I’ve come to South because I want to teach at a school that is like the high school that I went to. My goal is to be the teacher I didn’t have,” Sumner said.
