7questions with... Rachel Garvey McMahon
What do you do at Severn School?
I teach all the 8th graders math (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra 2), as well as coach Middle School cross country running in the fall. Next year I will be teaching a new elective, an intro to computer coding.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
7
questions with...
Rachel Garvey McMahon
Middle School math teacher, newlywed, and Louise McKenna Williams Outstanding Middle School teacher award winner
The kids. When I was looking for my first teaching position, I actually wanted to teach high school, but I fell in love with Severn and took the job teaching 8th grade here. Now, I can’t imagine teaching another age group of students; I'm sure I could, and I know I would find other things that I love about a different age group, but for now, the 8th graders are amazing. I love that they are still curious and that they like to joke around, but that they're also old enough to have serious conversations. In terms of math, they are right at the point where they get into more abstract thinking, which is awesome.
When you're not working, what do you like to do?
I love being outside. I love hiking, camping, fishing, and being out on the water. I also play volleyball, softball, and kickball through sports leagues throughout the year.
What moment in your teaching career stands out as memorable?
After my second year of teaching, I had a student come back and tell me he really learned a lot from me and liked the way that I taught math.
There are many great moments though, like the first year I taught Algebra 2 to two students and we experimented with flipped teaching and blended learning to find the best way to get these students to master the Algebra 2 curriculum.
Who had the greatest influence on your career?
Probably the greatest influence has been my grandmother. She taught second grade, art, and special education for 20 years. Every day she expressed to me how she knew in her heart that she had the most special, rewarding, challenging, and influential career of all.
What's the best advice you’ve been given?
My dad always says, "You can do anything for a year." This has been very helpful for me in difficult times or when I feel like complaining. For example, I was close to transferring schools after my first semester at college, but my parents wouldn't agree. They said that after a year I would have a better idea of what I wanted to do, and they were right. This advice came into play again when finding my first job and being unsure of what to do. I reassured myself that I can do anything for a year, and then reevaluate if
necessary. A Virginia native, Rachel earned both a B.A. and a master’s in education from the University of Virginia. She joined Severn School in 2010, and was recognized last school year with the Louise McKenna Williams Outstanding Middle School Teaching award. Rachel married Matt McMahon this past December.
I teach all the 8th graders math (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra 2), as well as coach Middle School cross country running in the fall. Next year I will be teaching a new elective, an intro to computer coding.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
7
questions with...
Rachel Garvey McMahon
Middle School math teacher, newlywed, and Louise McKenna Williams Outstanding Middle School teacher award winner
The kids. When I was looking for my first teaching position, I actually wanted to teach high school, but I fell in love with Severn and took the job teaching 8th grade here. Now, I can’t imagine teaching another age group of students; I'm sure I could, and I know I would find other things that I love about a different age group, but for now, the 8th graders are amazing. I love that they are still curious and that they like to joke around, but that they're also old enough to have serious conversations. In terms of math, they are right at the point where they get into more abstract thinking, which is awesome.
When you're not working, what do you like to do?
I love being outside. I love hiking, camping, fishing, and being out on the water. I also play volleyball, softball, and kickball through sports leagues throughout the year.
What moment in your teaching career stands out as memorable?
After my second year of teaching, I had a student come back and tell me he really learned a lot from me and liked the way that I taught math.
There are many great moments though, like the first year I taught Algebra 2 to two students and we experimented with flipped teaching and blended learning to find the best way to get these students to master the Algebra 2 curriculum.
Who had the greatest influence on your career?
Probably the greatest influence has been my grandmother. She taught second grade, art, and special education for 20 years. Every day she expressed to me how she knew in her heart that she had the most special, rewarding, challenging, and influential career of all.
What's the best advice you’ve been given?
My dad always says, "You can do anything for a year." This has been very helpful for me in difficult times or when I feel like complaining. For example, I was close to transferring schools after my first semester at college, but my parents wouldn't agree. They said that after a year I would have a better idea of what I wanted to do, and they were right. This advice came into play again when finding my first job and being unsure of what to do. I reassured myself that I can do anything for a year, and then reevaluate if
necessary. A Virginia native, Rachel earned both a B.A. and a master’s in education from the University of Virginia. She joined Severn School in 2010, and was recognized last school year with the Louise McKenna Williams Outstanding Middle School Teaching award. Rachel married Matt McMahon this past December.
