DR. GLADYS VASQUEZ, TIEN AWARD WINNER,
‘in sync’ with her students by Caroline Reich
“Listening and truly hearing my students is the key—I hear about their dreams, their hopes, their stresses. I want students to know that I believe in their dreams and that I care about their learning.” —Dr. Gladys Vasquez, WA Spanish Teacher
Spanish teacher Dr. Gladys Vasquez knew after her interview day that Worcester Academy would be a great fit for her. Candidates for teaching positions are asked to teach a “sample class” during that day, and Dr. Vasquez felt a real connection with the students that has 24 the HILLTOPPER : spring 2018
continued during her two years on the Hilltop. “I immediately felt that the students were fully engaged, were in sync with my lesson, and genuinely wanted to learn,” she remembers. She also felt that in teaching at the secondary school level, in a community that fosters close
relationships between teachers and students, she’d have rich opportunities to impact her students both in and outside of the classroom. This sense of being tuned in to her students and their learning process has already born fruit, as Dr. Vasquez
was selected as the 2017 recipient of the Michael Tien ’68 Student Impact Award—nominated by one of her students and selected by the head of school. The Tien Award was established in appreciation for Michael Tien’s personal experience at Worcester Academy and