Andrea Xu ‘25
Dr. Harwood in the classroom teaching and leading her students.
Dr. Harwood teaches and leads the Classics Department and is one of the Faculty Editors of the St. Marker. She joined St. Mark’s in 2010. As someone who has known Dr. Harwood since freshman year and had class with her this year, I decided to interview her and inquire more about her sabbatical.
How does it feel like for this school year to be over?
It has been a great year. It feels both good and slightly sad to be ending it. It feels good because many students learned a lot, and it feels sad because I can’t see the graduating seniors and the rising seniors again. So, “bittersweet” is the word I would use to describe the end of the school year.
What are the highlights from your year?
Well, we had the biggest classics banquet ever this year. The trip with my Greek II students to MFA was great. I also want to give a huge shout-out to the “Latin Queens” in my Advanced Topics in Latin Literature class. This was the most inspired and energetic class that I have taught in a long time. It was an all-female class, and it was special this way. The class was also during the Brown block, usually the last period of the week, so it also bonded us that way. Finally, Mr. Arvantely joined the department and taught Greek I for the first time!
(In the farewell email Dr. Harwood sent to the Latin Queens, she wrote: “You were truly one of the most enjoyable and intellectually brilliant classes I have ever taught. Usually, I dread having Brown, but I looked forward to it every week this year. Keep being the amazing Queens you are- and watch out for King behavior!”)
Why are you taking this sabbatical?
Many boarding schools offer sabbaticals for their faculty. I turned down the offer at the previous school I worked at. I have worked at boarding schools for over two decades. As you know, being a teacher at a boarding school can be really draining because it takes away both your mental and physical energy. I look forward to regenerating myself during my sabbatical.
(At St. Mark’s, faculty who have taught for more than ten years can apply for a sabbatical. However, only one faculty member is awarded a sabbatical each year. St. Mark’s offers a sabbatical based on seniority: the most tenured faculty get preference. Dr. Harwood has applied for the sabbatical since 2020, and the 2024-2025 academic year is the year she is awarded the sabbatical.)
What are you planning to do during your sabbatical?
I will be staying on campus during my sabbatical. I look forward to getting my 300-hour yoga teaching certificate through an online training program. I will also read a lot and walk my dog in the woods. I am currently writing a Greek I textbook with Netty Andrews in Greek III. I will continue to work on it during my sabbatical. Taking this time off will allow me to integrate some new learning into the classics curriculum. This will allow me to teach in a more informed way about topics that have long interested me. A topic I am very interested in is female voices in classical literature. I will also take this unprecedented opportunity to visit and take care of my parents in Vermont.
Is there anything you want to add before you depart for the summer?
I’m super grateful for this opportunity to take a sabbatical, and I’m grateful to St. Mark’s for allowing me to recharge so that I can teach better!