The Student Newspaper of Saint Peter's Prep

The Petroc

The Student Newspaper of Saint Peter's Prep

The Petroc

The Student Newspaper of Saint Peter's Prep

The Petroc

Teacher Feature: Ms. Black

Teacher Feature: Ms. Black

As a first year teacher at Prep, Ms. Black has taken Mr. Laguerre’s place as librarian while working alongside Mr. Long.  Ms. Black was born and raised in New Jersey and attended TCNJ to study criminology and went on to receive her Masters Degree in Library Information Sciences at Rutgers.  Before coming to Prep, Ms. Black worked at Horace Mann in Riverdale, New York.  At Prep, she has successfully implemented a “quiet area” of the library and has made the library much more conducive to working and studying.  Taking time away from her busy schedule, she gladly allowed us to interview her.

Ms. Black has spent this first month and a half organizing. When asked what the hardest part of her job has been thus far, she replied, “One thing was being here over the summer cleaning up, getting rid of stuff and just staying organized. Another difficult aspect is trying to make decisions based on what needs to be and doesn’t need to be dealt with.” She has handled the hardships of the job and has managed them very well to the delight of many of the students. Her hard work has paid off. When questioned further about her short time at Prep she responded quickly, surely and with a laugh, “Everyone is treating me very well; I’m impressed by everyone. People are always holding the door for me but I learned quickly that boys will be boys.”

As the new leader of the library on Prep’s campus, Ms. Black runs things, no questions asked. She has put her foot down and is intent on making it happen. After about forty-five days, we as a student body are coming to know and love Ms. Black, but no one really knew the Ms. Black outside of the crowded halls of Prep. “I like to run and I love to bake,” said Ms. Black with a gleam in her eyes. She continued, “I think they go hand in hand. I can run half marathons right now and I’m working my way up. I bake so much, that if I didn’t run I don’t want to think about where I would be.” Another one of her hobbies is reading. She loves to read and, after a difficult, head-scratching day, her favorite book to go home to is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.

Though she’s new to St. Peter’s, she has broken in her new shoes in this next step of her life. With former preparation from her undergraduate and graduate studies, and from her previous experience working at Horace Mann High School in Riverdale, New York, she is well-suited for the tasks that Prep asks of her. When asked of the easiest part of the job, she retorted, “I don’t know if there is an easiest part of my job! Possibly just getting to know the teachers in the community.”

Finally, and to the chagrin of some, Ms. Black has developed a bird’s eye and has begun to “snipe” in the library, primed and ready to tell students to  vacate  the library if deemed necessary. We asked how many she had kicked out in that day alone, and she laughed, saying, “Just one.”

Ms. Black is a great addition to 144 Grand Street. Every day she goes from fixing a nervous freshman’s printing issues to scolding a senior in the “quiet study area.” The future at Prep for Ms. Black is bright. Once again, we here at The Petroc welcome Ms. Black.