Ms. Fernandes is an English teacher at North Arlington High School. Though she has been teaching since 2012, she joined the Viking Community in 2022. She attended William Paterson University as an undergraduate and received her Bachelor’s in English Literature and Secondary Education. As a graduate of Montclair State University, she has received a Master’s in Child Advocacy and Policy and a Student Assistance Counselor Certification. She anticipates completing a Master’s in School Counseling by December 2024.
The main goal for her students that Ms. Fernandes strives to achieve is “to empower them with the skills and confidence to thrive as critical thinkers and lifelong learners. More importantly, I want to inspire my students to become individuals who are empowered to make a difference in the world. I hope to instill in them a sense of resilience!” Ms. Fernandes truly wants the best for her students and wants to see growth and strength as they progress through their educational journey.
Ms. Fernandes was inspired to teach English by creativity and expression. She firmly believes that passion is shared with others through teaching, and she has been given the opportunity through education, especially with diverse texts and analyzing literary devices, to foster creativity, critical thinking, and empathy! She views English as a chance to explore the human experience “through the lens of language” and “discover the power of our own voices.”
Ms. Fernandes’s most cherished aspect of her work at the high school is the profound relationships she has cultivated with her students and colleagues. She is deeply committed to her student’s growth and development, a dedication evident in her favorite topic to teach —salient novels by renowned authors. Currently, Ms. Fernandes finds joy in teaching sophomores about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Last year, she relished teaching juniors about Kate Chopin and her short stories, especially “Desiree’s Baby” and enjoyed teaching her seniors about “Night” by Elise Wiesel.
One of Ms. Fernandes’s most memorable experiences at NAHS was in her English 2 Honors class, where students presented their projects on different aspects of the Elizabethan period, an introduction unit to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Ms. Fernandes fondly recalls that “one group explored the category of fashion.” Her students, Leia and Jadyn, “showed up in Elizabethan wigs! I loved it!”
Outside of teaching, Ms. Fernandes engages in an active lifestyle. She enjoys Zumba and kickboxing! Her favorite sports teams include the Yankees and the Patriots. She enjoys reading The Lying Game by Ruth Ware and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Her favorite movies are Rush Hour and A League of Their Own.
In summary, Ms. Fernandes is a pleasant teacher and staff member who deeply cares about her students and their success. She shares a passion for English with her students, engaging them daily with various topics!