Faculty Spotlight: A moment with…Susan Berry

in Highlight
December 18th, 2017

1. What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

I love witnessing student’ progress and helping them to make plans for improvement. CELOP students usually have pretty clear goals for their English development and ideas on where they need to improve in order to meet those goals. I like helping them to develop their plans and see them through.

2. What did you do before working at CELOP?

I traveled around the US and the world working with native and non-native English speaking teachers on developing their teaching skills. I helped them develop strategies on teaching in English (not translating), getting their students speaking and creating specific learning objectives. Some of the countries that I got to work in were Korea, Mexico, Poland, Ecuador, and Brazil.

3. Where are you from?

I’m from Santa Cruz, California, which is a town that is known for its amazing waves. So there are a lot of international surfing competitions. It’s also known for its giant Redwood trees (so big you can drive a car through them!).

4. Favorite thing to do in Boston?

I love riding my bike through the city streets of Boston and Cambridge! It’s a great way to get around and see the beautiful neighborhoods, river, harbor and parks! There is an inexpensive system of rental bikes that you can join called Hubway Bikes. Just be sure to wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road!

5. If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

One meal or one food? I love fruit! Always have. Especially because my parents were hippies and we were only allowed to have natural sugars as kids.

6. What’s your favorite TV Show?

I just recently cancelled my cable so I’m a little out of it, but I love the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine! It’s a comedy with an excellent writer and actor named Andy Samburg.

7. What is the best destination you’ve travelled to?

My husband and I traveled around England on our foldable bikes when the Tour de France started there!

8. Favorite restaurant in Boston?

R.F. O’Sullivan’s in Somerville for a hamburger and onion rings! Ok, so it’s not Boston, but cross the river and check this place out! So far above McDonald’s hamburgers!

9. What are your hobbies?

Besides bike riding, my husband and I love restoring and renovating our old Victorian house and entertaining guests in it!

10. What is your hidden talent?

I rowed in the Head of the Charles regatta in 2014, which is an international rowing race that happens in October on the Charles River. We came in last place but it was a lot of fun to be competing against such skilled rowers!

11. What would people never guess you do in your role?

They would never guess that I do most of my reviewing of papers and lesson planning on the train to and from Worcester. It’s my second office!