教师重点为十二月2022:夫人. Laura (Enriquez) Bertalmio '08

LB: 我在圣心大学(费尔菲尔德)获得学士学位, CT), where I majored in English literature and minored in psychology. 然后我进入国立路易斯大学攻读硕士学位.A.T. (教学艺术硕士). 另外, 我学习写作, directing and acting for the camera at Second City and was a member of a Second City “writer’s room.”

LB: 我是一名教育家、作家和演说家. I began my career teaching writing in a charter school where I also held an English Department Chair position. From there, I  was fortunate to join Nazareth Academy’s English Department [in La Grange Park, IL]. I taught English I and World Literature as well as coached the Debate Team. 

2020年，我暂时离开了教室，出版了我的 最畅销的小说, 恶魔. 通过它的成功, I was able to gain partnerships and speaking opportunities with several organizations, 包括:AAU体育, 男孩 & 美国女孩俱乐部和女孩公司. My most popular speech was titled “Maintaining Grit Through Adversity.” I especially enjoyed speaking to and working with students outside of the classroom to develop character-building traits. 

LB: 无情的 作者:蒂姆·格罗弗. In addition to the classics, I enjoy character-building books, biographies and historical texts. 我也是一个狂热的人 国家地理 粉丝!

LB: I thoroughly enjoy writing and am presently editing my screenplay with the hopes of my book being adopted into a movie. 另外, I love being in the kitchen -- whether that’s cooking or baking. I recently married my passion for food and writing and run a food blog. I’m also interested in hiking/camping and have proudly hiked almost 20 National Parks.

LB: In high school at Fenwick [Class of 2008], I was on the Debate Team and competed in Lincoln-Douglas & 公共论坛. I qualified for and debated at the State Tournament (Bloomington, 三次在伊利诺斯州夺冠，三次在全国锦标赛(休斯顿)夺冠, TX)一次. 另外, I played varsity softball and participated in the Art Club.

In college, I played club softball for two years and women’s rugby for one. I played softball my whole life and knew there were adult leagues to participate in post-college, 所以我对打橄榄球的机会很感兴趣. 上大学前, 我从来没听说过这项运动, but once I attended a match I knew I wanted to have that experience. 它没有让人失望! Playing rugby pushed my physical limits and had a comradery that is unlike any other sport I’ve played. I also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Feel the Warmth Soup Kitchen. 

LB: 我目前正在调节 广播俱乐部!

LB: Fenwick's students are competitive, high achievers and well-rounded. Many students here show these qualities through their involvement in multiple sports/clubs.

LB: After graduating undergrad, I was preparing to take the LSAT and apply to Law Schools. 在大考之前，我去了趟欧洲. 我坐在伦敦的一家酒吧里看书 《双城记 因为我马上就要去法国了. While I was there, a man from Australia approached me and asked about my book. 从那以后，我们聊了三个小时文学.

I couldn’t get over how incredible it was to have met a stranger from across the world and still have a deep conversation about books and what they say about us as humans. 我们甚至交换了书——我把我的给他，他把他的给我。 动物庄园. I realized at that moment how passionate I was about literature. 当我旅行回来的时候, I canceled my LSAT test and signed up for a program to earn my Master’s in teaching. 

LB: I am a very organized person, which helps tremendously in the classroom. I teach my students the importance of organization though how they approach homework, 记笔记和管理截止日期. 我也认为我积极的态度和善良有助于教学. One of my favorite quotes is, “In a world where you can be anything, simply choose to be kind.”

LB: 我很喜欢教英国文学和世界文学. What I like about these subjects is the ability to learn about humans and different cultures and cultural pluralism through texts. I also enjoy the depth and layers that come from embedded allusions. 

LB: My greatest success in teaching is shown through my relationships with students. 即使学生不喜欢英语作为一门学科, I still find students enjoy coming to my class or finding a positive takeaway. 也, a mark of success is when students who are struggling feel comfortable seeking additional help -- whether it’s academic or personal. I find it very rewarding when students see me as their advocate.

LB: One of the biggest challenges students face is coping with mental health issues. 我觉得社交媒体激起了青少年的焦虑. 现在, students have an even more unrealistic image of “what should be” rather than being okay with what is. I think this can toll on students’ mental well being of always wanting to compare themselves to something that is unrealistic or unattainable. 另外, I think the pressure put on students today can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.