Ali Moody (@MsMoodyEdu) | #BowTieTuesday
Introduction: This week’s #BowTieTuesday Educator Spotlight is being shined upon an educator that I have the wonderful pleasure of calling a colleague. While still considered a youngin’ by many people that we work with, her enthusiasm and ability to interweave current events into her social studies lessons shown all the signs of a legend in the making. The Edu-Rock Star that I’ll be recognizing this week is none other than Ms. Ali Moody (@MsMoodyEdu), a high school social studies teacher at New Brunswick High School.
Educational Pursuit: Ali, much like myself, is considered a “baby zebra”. Having less than five years of experience she obtained an Associate’s Degree in Humanities from Brookdale Community College (which she always makes sure to tell our students because she think’s going to community college was the wisest decision she’s ever made), a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Rutgers New Brunswick, and a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.
She always had an inkling that education was the career path for her but assumed that since most students when she was younger had similar aspirations she would need to find a career in a different field. Upon transferring to Rutgers as a junior she had her sights set on earning a degree in exercise science and becoming a physical therapist. She enjoys learning about the body and kinesiology but stated “holy math”. As painstaking as it is for me to type this, Ali informed me that numbers have never been her strong suit and she was in over her head. While crying the blues to her sister, Ali was influenced to give teaching a shot. That semester she took the GRE, was accepted to the five-year Master’s program at Rutgers, and the rest is history! Being horrible at math is the best thing that ever happened to her! (My heart aches…)
Most Memorable Moment: You would think that being so early into our careers this would be an easy question to answer but Ali couldn’t quite pinpoint a memory as this entire school year has been extremely memorable for her. She attributes the uncertainty to possibly recording every move her students make to create a video of the year for them come June or it could relevant to the growth she has experienced this school year due to the risks she has taken. Becoming a part of the inaugural iSTEAM Academy has also been a blessing for her as she has been able to develop much more meaningful relationships with her students and create a family-like atmosphere, not to mention the stellar teachers that she gets to collaborate with daily!
Personal Learning Interests: Ali has been doing yoga for about four years but has really focused on her practice for the last two years. She has committed to a nonprofit yoga studio to begin her Yoga Teacher Training later this year and this coming winter she will have completed her 200 hours and be a certified teacher (hint, hint).
In addition, she also created a “Moving Mediation Club” for students at New Brunswick High School that is set to kick off next week. She hopes to introduce students to yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. She understands that high school can be strenuous and demanding and hopes to create a peaceful space for students to de-stress.
The Fun Stuff
Ali’s go-to Karaoke Song: Jump Around by House of Paine
Ali’s Inside Scoop: She’s a walking contradiction. While she drinks her green stuff every morning and does yoga, she can also get down with some beef jerky.
Thank you, Ali, for your heartfelt efforts to improve education each and every day you step foot inside a classroom. I am happy knowing that you are part of #ZebraNation and am grateful for the positive impact you have had on my PLN! I truly appreciate all that you do to keep moving education forward. Looking forward to many more years together!
Thanks for reading and sharing!
Bow-Tie Joe
