Ms. Ficklin, an English 1 and Honors English 1 teacher at Page, has just won the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award! She has been in Greensboro for a while now, studying at UNCG and student–teaching at Page with Ms. Weaver. Her experience as a student-teacher got her familiar with our English Department and showed her how “supportive, helpful, and encouraging” this school is.

After studying English, Secondary Education, and American Sign Language in college, Ms. Ficklin wanted to pursue teaching at the high school level because she wanted to make an impact on students right before their adult lives begin. She believes that language is all about empathy. Ms. Ficklin says that “we learn empathy by listening to others and that empathy leads to empowerment.” To her, English is like a superpower that she gets to share with every student she teaches.

Ms. Ficklin loves teaching English because stories connect people who are separated by time, distance, and thought. She explores her subject outside of school by diving into stories written by marginalized authors. Amanda Gorman’s work, for example, a current favorite for Ms. Ficklin, addresses female empowerment and racial stereotypes. After making such an impression at President Biden’s Inauguration, Gorman has struck the interest of many. Ms. Ficklin says that belittled authors “may have been suppressed in the past, but we can do better by learning from and uplifting their work.” With passion and perspective like that, Ms. Ficklin will definitely go on to do great things here at Page. Congratulations!