Inspired to Educate
Xanthia Zoe decided she wanted to become an English teacher while reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 10th grade at Smithtown High School East.
“Sitting in my English class reading the trial scene, I had one of those ‘lightbulb moments,'” said Zoe, an English major with a concentration in adolescence education. “Listening to my teacher explain the famous Atticus Finch quote, ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,’ I knew that I wanted to spread this message to other students one day.”
It’s because of her own experience as a student that Zoe knows exactly what she wants to bring to the classroom.
“I can easily say I would not be where I am today without my teachers,” the St. James resident said. “Through my student teaching experience, I have been able to connect with my students on a deeper level. I saw how I had the opportunity to make a difference in their lives, even if it was only for 10 weeks.
“I loved waking up every morning and going to school to teach,” Zoe continued. “I hope that one day when I have a classroom of my own, I will be able to make a difference in my students’ lives and inspire them the ways in which my teachers inspired me.”
In addition to enjoying her time inside the classroom at St. Joseph’s, Zoe thrived in her extracurricular involvement. She was involved in the Service Circle, the New Orleans Alternative Winter Break Mission Trip, Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society and Kappa Delta Pi National Education Honor Society. She served as Orientation team committee chair and team leader, and she held the positions of secretary and vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA).
“I am most thankful for the people I have met, the relationships and bonds I have formed, and the opportunities I have been able to learn and grow from,” Zoe said. “I have learned more about myself as a student, leader and educator than I ever thought possible. I am so grateful for each opportunity that was awarded to me throughout my time (at St. Joseph’s).”
Zoe specifically thanks Bryan Gill, Hugo Morales and Michelle Frati — executive director, assistant director and assistant of Student Involvement, Leadership and Intercultural Engagement, respectively — for how they helped shape her into who she is today. And in addition to St. Joseph’s, Zoe thanks her mom for instilling in her the value of integrity.
“From a very young age, my mother impressed me with the importance of having integrity in everything you do.” she said. “Integrity, to me, is choosing courage over comfort, choosing what is right over what is easy, and choosing to stand for your values rather than allowing yourself to be influenced by others. It allows you to be your most authentic self, maintaining the highest standards of who you are and who you want to be. It is effortless to do what comes easily, but it takes great strength, courage, and determination to live a life, as one of my favorite authors, Brene Brown, would say: ‘daring greatly.'”
