Keep it Current with Mrs. Finn

Valerie Reich, Staff Writer

Mrs. Finn is an Alumni of Santaluces who has been teaching English here for five years. Two of those years have been spent been teaching AICE General Paper. She was one of the first teachers on campus to teach the college-level subject.

“I love to teach because I’m weird,” says Finn. “It’s fun to see students think of stuff they’ve never thought of before. It’s fun to be a part of that.”

Teachers such as Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lifson, and Assistant Principals like Mr. Ramos and Mr. Krupa have been here since her time as a student in these halls. Finn graduated in May of 2004.

“She was very quiet and studious,” said Mr. Krupa. “Mrs. Finn was one of our best students, and we are very proud to have her come back and teach here.”

Working with her old teachers, Finn was happy that she was treated with respect and not like a student anymore.

“It’s actually fun to work with my old teachers,” said Finn.

A runner of two marathons and 10 half marathons since 2011, Finn began running as a way to prove herself wrong. She had always told herself that she wasn’t a runner, but she began with one mile and built up to the distances she runs now.

One thing you hear Mrs. Finn say often is that we are consuming cancer when we eat chips or Coolatas from Dunkin’ Donuts. One of her grandparents had died of cancer, another of diabetes, and another of heart disease.

“I started research to help my parents not become like their parents,” said Finn.

Because of this research Finn eats healthier where she can afford to and encourage her students to do the same. She makes students aware that although genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have not been directly link to health risks, we should still be cautious.

As an English teacher, Mrs Finn is always reading. Her all-time favorite book is “Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

“It’s the kind of book that makes you realize everyone is struggling and you don’t feel so alone,” said Finn.

The way Mrs. Finn feels about the book relates to her ability to connect with her students on a deeper level and help them feel less alone themselves.