Meet Zoë Warner!

As part of our ongoing series Meet Our GDS Faculty and Staff, we are excited to present: Meet Zoë Warner! 

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Zoë.

Primary Role: Middle School English teacher 

Pronouns: she/her

Years at GDS: One year down and halfway through year two 

What do you love about GDS?
The sense of community and the ability to teach books and writing that I think will deeply impact the lives of students.

Why do you teach?
I teach because it's the most fulfilling work I've ever done. Standing in the front of a room and talking is not something that comes naturally to me. I'd much rather be curled up in the corner with a book. However, seeing a student experience a moment of understanding or growth is the most special and magical moment. I feel so grateful to be in a job where I get to witness that regularly.

A favorite part of your job?
I love teaching poetry. I love being able to read a poem with students that makes no sense to us the first time around and then slowly decode and unravel the meaning of it.

Your work style in three words?
Organized. Calm. Quiet.

Other GDS activities or roles that community members may not know about?
I am co-teaching the 5th-grade broadcast program “Good Morning, GDS” with Elvin Peprah and Aarionna! Elvin is solely responsible for all of the magical tech things. I just help the students with the storytelling part. Watch last week’s episode >>

A top hope/wish for your students and/or colleagues?
That they have empathy for others and practice reflection.

Personal passions/hobbies/pastimes?
Yoga, reading, watercolors, poetry, photography, and movies

A treasured favorite…?
My great-grandmother's cinnamon roll recipe. My mom makes them every Christmas Eve. Every inch of our kitchen counter space becomes covered with dough, cinnamon, and butter. Neighbors and friends bring us their pans and my mom fills them with my great-grandmother’s cinnamon rolls for them to have on Christmas morning. It’s one of my favorite family traditions.

Any pet stories? 
Embarrassing pet fact: I loved animals growing up and was known for having a lot of pet rodents before my parents let me get a dog. I had rats, mice, and guinea pigs.

One thing about yourself your students/colleagues/others probably don't know?
I still try to find ways to be a student myself. Right now I am taking a poetry class with a poet named Sabrina Benaim!

One thing on your life "bucket list" you've already accomplished?
Walk the Great Wall of China

One thing on your life “bucket list” you have yet to accomplish?
Go to Joshua Tree National Park

With a tip from Zoe, we reached out to hear what a colleague had to say...
Middle School history department chair Kate Maloney said, “Zoë Warner is a treasure! Anyone who spends time with her recognizes wisdom beyond her years and an intuitive sense of how to connect with students. Her quiet patience and high expectations in the classroom combine beautifully to create an environment where students are comfortable taking risks and working collaboratively. She is a strong advocate for kids and a consummate team player. Zoë consistently keeps the needs of students as a driving force in all that she does while advising, teaching, or planning grade-level activities. She has infused into our grade-level team a model of engagement, appropriate challenge, and nurturing from which our Middle Schoolers benefit. She’s magical in so many ways!”