Behind the educational philosophy and inspiring natural environment that is Mount Madonna School (MMS), is its most significant ‘natural resource’: a diverse faculty of enthusiastic, personable, creative, and innovative individuals, who together bring a broad range of personal and professional experiences to the community. Over the course of this school year, we look forward to ‘introducing’ some of these teachers to you, to offer a new perspective on the people who are guiding MMS students, and to help you know better the people behind the course syllabi.
Whether they’re learning about Egyptian pharaohs, ancient Greece, the Native American diaspora, America’s colonial period or other topics, middle school students in Amy Neff’s history and Core classes are engaging with a vibrant and rich course of study full of stories, heroes, legends, treachery and war.
“I love learning about different cultures and time periods and sharing that knowledge with my students,’ explains Neff. ‘I believe that the more we can learn about what has happened before us, the more we can understand our society today. I love that MMS gives me the opportunity to teach in creative and non-traditional ways that keep students engaged and inspires them to become life-long learners.’
Each school day Neff’s classroom buzzes with conversation and camaraderie — even at lunchtime — as students gather to study for tests, draw, or just talk and hang out together. Sometimes Neff is the adult in the background, working on her own lesson preparations or grading papers; sometime she’s an active participant sharing in the silly humor or telling stories; and sometimes she’s the ‘counselor’ students come to for social or academic advice.
‘I didn’t know when I came to MMS to teach history that I would also be advising on the interpersonal dynamics of middle school,’ laughs Neff. ‘It’s fine, and I’m glad students trust me and feel they can come to me. It’s actually become one of my favorite parts of the job!’
Neff holds an M.A. in Education from the University of California, Davis, along with a Single Subject Social Science Credential. She has a B.A. in History from Brigham Young University. She joined MMS in 2010 to teach middle school world and U.S. history. She has taught other classes since then, too: high school World Religions last year, and this year, inaugurating MMS’ eighth grade Core, a combined history and English humanities course. She also participates in the Student Guidance Council, which works to support and promote positive and productive student behaviors, along with responding when students are not contributing to a healthy learning environment; and the Mapping Group, which was responsible for creating documentation of the academic skill development that takes place across disciplines and grade levels.
‘When I was first started at MMS, I was so concerned with just getting through each day/week/month that I didn’t really pay much attention to the bigger picture outside of my own classroom,’ shares Neff. ‘Since then I’ve taught new classes and taken on new responsibilities that have shown me more about how everything works — or doesn’t work — together. I’ve also experienced on a much more in-depth level the relationships at work in every aspect of what we do and why that is so important.’
Growing up the eldest of four kids in a tight-knit family in a small town outside Sacramento, Neff says her mother, Kathleen, was a stable and significant influence in her life.
‘She is the most selfless, supportive, and understanding person that I know. Everything good about who I am, I got from her. My mom always taught me and my siblings that people are more important than things. She sacrificed a lot to build really close relationships with each of us.’
When she decided to apply at MMS, Neff says she was drawn to the educational philosophy, small class sizes and the emphasis placed on developing relationships and getting to know each student and his/her family.
‘I have always loved school — it was my sanctuary growing up. I have an insatiable curiosity and always want to learn more. I needed a job that was constantly challenging me and where I could feel like I was making a difference,’ she says. ‘At MMS academics are held in high regard and are one of the three pillars. And, like MMS, I really care about the whole child — not only if he or she succeeds academically. I became a teacher because I love kids and I love academia. Their development as people is vitally important to me and my role as a mentor is something I take very seriously.
‘What I love about middle school, in particular, is that it is a time of profound change for students. They are really starting to figure out who they are and who they want to be. As they begin pulling away from their parents, teachers can become an important authority figure and role model. For sure there are challenges, too: social dynamics, learning how to balance school and friends, starting to become more defiant or challenging of authority —or just being very dramatic. Yet, their individuality, honesty and vulnerability are refreshing and real. It is so much fun to watch them grow and change—and it happens so quickly!’
This year MMS made the switch from separate eighth grade English and history courses to a combined Core class, a curriculum that’s is frequently followed in other middle schools. Neff says she, herself, had a Core class as an eighth grade student, and also taught a core class while she was a student teacher.
‘In my Core class today, most of the time it isn’t so obvious if it is a ‘history’ or ‘English’ assignment. Instead, many assignments will include aspects of both.’ One example, Neff shares, is that for their current unit on the Colonists and the Revolutionary War, students are reading a historical fiction novel, Johnny Tremain , by Esther Forbes. In addition to analyzing and writing about the text, and looking for historical facts and detail, students will identify literary elements as well.
When she’s not teaching, Neff enjoys traveling, and last year visited Thailand and the Philippines. She’s an avid reader (currently engrossed in Veronica Roth’s Allegiant ), is re-learning to play the piano, actively pursues fitness activities (lately it’s kickboxing), and spending time with her friends and family.
“I wasn’t always close to my siblings growing up,’ she shares, ‘but now they are my best friends and we have so much fun together. I know that I am always loved and supported by them and everything we have gone through together has only made our relationships stronger.”
Neff is also a big Hawks’ fan, and frequently attends school plays and volleyball games to cheer on MMS students.
‘I love watching my students sing and dance,’ she notes. ‘Graduation is also a very fulfilling time for me. I enjoy listening to students’ speeches and finding out more about their experiences. It can be so revealing.’
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Marketing & Communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.
