TCA Moments Blog

The Classical Academy may be seven schools spread across three campuses, but when I speak with teachers, I hear some inspiring common themes: extraordinary care for students, a desire to teach subjects deeply and well, a view toward developing students' character, and a focus on relationships. These themes shone through again recently as I chatted with Mrs. Amber Luongo, College Pathways Geometry and Algebra II teacher. 

Mrs. Luongo began her teaching career in fall 2006 at TCA High School when she was Miss Wiard. She began our conversation by sharing what she sees when she looks around during a College Pathways staff meeting: 

Mrs. Luongo: I see teachers in all content areas, and how much they care for students. I'm amazed at how often the topic of conversation is "the whole person." These teachers are intentional about building lifelong skills and character in students. I don't think that's your typical public school staff. It's a collective pouring into these students, and I'm just one part. 

TCA Advancement: How does teaching math specifically give you an opportunity to develop your students as whole people?

Mrs. Luongo: I think math teachers, more than anyone, tend to hear, "When am I ever going to use this in real life?" But you are! Math is the perfect opportunity to learn analytical thinking. You need to be able to take a problem—any problem—and formulate a logical plan to tackle it. Here's the problem. What are my options? There are 10 steps. Where do I start?

Grit. Perseverance. They come up naturally as we are doing math together.

In other content areas, conversations about character might come more directly from the content itself, but in my classroom, it's recognizing the teachable moments that come from a student being late to class or wanting to bend the rules on their uniform, then being able to zoom out. We address the heart issue at the root of it: respect for your peers, respect for your teacher. 

Artificial intelligence is an area where I currently have an opportunity to educate on ethics: When life gets full and stressful, you tend to make poor decisions. AI might promise to get you the grade without the work. But it's dishonest, and in the end you're shooting yourself in the foot because you didn't learn the material. 

TCA Advancement: As you make this daily investment in students' lives, how does the unique environment at College Pathways (TCA's hybrid education school) contribute?

Mrs. Luongo: CP students have to have great time management. I am teaching two or three lessons in an hour. They have to put the puzzle of their week together and come in on their own time if they need help. They have to prioritize—organizing their work doesn't happen on its own. 

Because I am actively teaching for the full 55 minute session, I find creative ways to bring in the relationship-focus. I try to stand outside my door at passing period and ask about soccer, greet them by name, give them a touch-point that's not math-related. Then I feel more connected because I know more about them. And I want them to know that I care about them as a person beyond their student role.