This year, we welcomed a new English teacher and Humanities Studio supervisor, Dr. Gordon Brown and his daughter Shayla to Academy High. Dr. Brown grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, and went on to attend Tufts University in Boston for his undergraduate studies. During his Sophomore year he took a break from his studies where he became an assistant coach for a high school football team. It was then that he became inspired to become a teacher, although this wasn’t his plan originally. Growing up he dreamed of becoming an engineer because of his interest in mathematics. Later on, however, he began looking at all of the teachers in his life and decided that he wanted to do it too. Working as an assistant coach fueled his passion for teaching even more so and he returned to college to graduate with BAs in English and Economics. He then continued his education at George Washington University for a masters in education with a certification of secondary English K-12 ESL instruction.
Dr. Brown’s teaching career has been long and prolific, beginning in 1996 teaching in DC high schools. From there he moved on to teaching at Glasgow Middle School in 1998 where he served as both English Department Chair and reading coach. From 2010 to 2020 he taught in Fairfax County, Virginia at Fairfax High School and Mr. Vernon High school, both of which are in the DC area. This isn’t to say that Dr. Brown has spent most of his time near Washington DC. He and his family have moved around quite a bit, living in Panama and Saratoga Springs for four years each, and this summer they moved all the way to Champaign, Illinois. While quite far away from the schools in Fairfax, Academy High offers the school environment that Dr. Brown desired. To be able to teach classes the way he saw fit and work at an institution that was truly student centered was a dream come true.
Fun Facts About Dr. Brown
Favorite Foods:
spicy food, spinach, seafood, and Italian cuisine
Favorite Color:
black
Favorite Movie:
It's a Wonderful Life
Favorite Author:
Roald Dahl
Favorite Quote:
"Ancora Imparo" (tr. Still I Learn)- Michelangelo
because it represents that every day you are learning something new
Superpower of Choice:
Dr. Strange's powers because it would be cool to see and understand the universe while at the same time changing some things about it.
Dinner Date with a Historical Figure:
Rupert Murdoch because Dr. Brown has questions such as, what’s his purpose? And what is he trying to achieve?
During this time at home you might find yourself with nothing to do. Here are a couple of things that Dr. Brown recommends for you. First he recommends “13th,” a Netflix documentary about the 13th Amendment. This documentary explores the history of slavery in the United States and the impact of systemic racism on the African American community. It also takes a deeper look at everything leading up to the Civil Rights Movement. A lighthearted movie that Dr. Brown recommends is, “Dumb and Dumber,” a comedic, family appropriate film that is enjoyable for all. If you like Jim Carrey, then Dr. Brown 100% recommends that you watch this comedy!
Dr. Brown, thank you for taking your time to have an interview with the Axolotl Insider. Welcome to Academy High!
