Each week through our Faculty/Staff Spotlight series, we invite our community members to get to know Gulliver Prep teachers and staff members across every division. This week, our Faculty Spotlight features Mrs. Catherine Piccini ‘87 P ‘31, Middle School Math Faculty member. Read on to learn about her passion for math, goals for the school year, and more.
Q: How long have you been at Gulliver?
A: This is my sixth year teaching at Gulliver. A lifetime ago, however, I spent 14 years here as a student.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I have run 11 marathons and one ultra marathon, another lifetime ago.
Q: What do you like most about math? What attracted you to the subject, and to want to teach it?
A: I love when students who think they “can’t do math” realize that they actually can. If I can help them to see that ability in themselves, and to improve their math attitude, my year is made. I was drawn to teaching math because it is so different from teaching ELA which I taught for many years. I liked teaching the two subjects that use different parts of my brain and require me to think in very different ways. For now, however, I am happy to be able to focus on math alone.
Q: How do you make math fun for your students?
A: They might argue that I don’t, but I like to think that the personal relationships we build make it fun.
Q: What are your goals for this school year?
A: To help my students maintain moment and positive energy as we make it through this very strange time; a year like no other.
Rapid fire!
Favorite meal at a local restaurant: La Quebradita’s shrimp tacos
Last book you read: The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl
A current favorite song: Nothing in particular; been listening to jazz and 70’s classic rock lately.
Your go-to Starbucks order: Double espresso with a splash of milk
A movie you can watch over and over and not get tired of: “Waking Ned Devine”
