Introducing Ms. Misha Holmes

Misha Holmes joined the Loyola Blakefield community at the start of the 2021–22 school year and serves as Academic Support Coordinator. A graduate of Furman University and City College of New York, Misha holds a B.A. in Spanish and French as well as an M.S. in Education. Prior to joining Loyola, she served as a New York City Teaching Fellow. She has taught Spanish, French, and served as a bilingual parent services specialist for Childcare Aware of America. In addition to extensive internship and work study experience, Misha took part in study abroad programs in both France and Spain. Both of Misha’s parents served in the Air Force, and she was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and lived in Italy before returning to the States. Her family moved annually until settling in Ridgely, Maryland, during her sophomore year of high school.

What do you enjoy about being a member of the Loyola community?

I really love how close-knit the faculty and staff are with each other! I feel such a sense of belonging, and I am grateful to constantly be surrounded by educators who are so dedicated to their craft and their students. This work environment allows me to be more hands-on with students and continue working with them even beyond the classroom. There are a plethora of engaging extracurricular programs that support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development. Loyola certainly tailors every facet of the educational experience and personal development; this unparalleled attribute is what most stands out to me and is the main reason why I love coming to work every single day.

How would you describe a typical school day for you?

I wear many hats throughout each day. I am continually challenged to dig deeper and work harder so that I may better understand how to be of service to the community. I work in tandem with Murray Learning Services to provide individualized support to enhance students’ skills in the areas of learning, studying, testtaking, problem-solving, self-advocacy, time management, organization, and task initiation. I also serve as the main point of contact for students who need to overcome academic challenges and other barriers that interfere with their academic success.

What are your early observations of the gifts and mindset that Loyola students bring to their educational journeys?

I have noticed that many of our Dons are intrinsically motivated to succeed both in and out of school. They enroll in diverse courses, think more independently, and express themselves more clearly. They are trailblazers and innovators. They are intellectual scholars and incredible athletes. Our Dons are men for others and strive to exemplify that in their endeavors. Between our Dons-for-Dons Peer Tutoring program, our Fall Food Drive, and our volunteer trips to First Fruits Farm in Freeland, MD (where our students harvest locally grown vegetables for those in need), our students regularly seek to serve and be a blessing unto others.

What originally inspired you toward a career in education?

My heart truly beats for our youth. It is my desire to be in a position where I can inspire others to become the best version of themselves. Working as an educator both in the United States and overseas has allowed me to develop a greater understanding of how to encourage young scholars to rise to any challenge and be prosperous both academically and independently. My desire is to help our students become more aware of the core values and skills necessary to become inquisitive, open-minded, and compassionate citizens. As our society becomes more global and comprehensive, I believe that such qualities will be more indispensable, rather than superfluous.

What are some of your main interests and hobbies outside of your professional life?

I love spending time outdoors and finding beauty in nature. I also love traveling and exploring new places, trying different foods, and meeting people from different walks of life. When I get home from work, I enjoy exercising, reading (or listening to an audiobook), and cooking. I’m very much still a kid at heart and spend more time than I probably should binge watching old Disney and Pixar movies! Above all, I love getting involved within the community and being of service to others. I’ve learned that we serve God by serving others, and at the end of the day, my heart’s desire is to serve God.