Anna Gonzales

Anna Gonzales is an English teacher at the Little Red Schoolhouse and Elizabeth Irwin School (LREI) in New York City, where she has been teaching since August 2020. She specializes in 10th-grade American literature and offers electives for upperclassmen, including courses on Gender & Sexuality in Shakespeare, James Baldwin Author Study, and Transgender Literature.13 Additionally, she leads workshops on personal essays and poetry, and is involved in coaching cross country and basketball for grades 6-12.1

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s Degree: English Literature and Gender & Sexuality Studies from Swarthmore College, graduating with highest honors in 2016.
• Master’s Degree: Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania, completed between 2016 and 2018.56

Previous Experience

Before joining LREI, Gonzales taught at Deerfield Academy from 2016 to 2020, where she developed a reputation for her engaging teaching style and strong connections with students. Her courses included Black American literature and British & post-colonial literature. She also served as a dorm parent and coached various sports.24 Prior to that, she worked at Prestans Online Academy, focusing on curriculum development for literature and writing courses.15

Teaching Philosophy

Gonzales emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment, drawing from her own experiences as a student. She believes in fostering deep discussions that encourage students to reflect on societal issues.3 Her approach aims to connect students' personal experiences with the literature they study, making the material relevant and engaging.

Anna Gonzales continues to be an influential figure in her school community, supporting various student clubs and initiatives related to social justice and creative expression.14