Although she doesn’t love politics, new social studies teacher Alisen LaFerriere hopes to share her love of stories from the past as she faces teaching during a global pandemic.

LaFerriere previously worked at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School as a social studies teacher and started this year at Algonquin dealing with the unusual situation of COVID-19. 

“COVID has made it crazy,” LaFerriere said. 

During her application process for this job, all of LaFerriere’s interviews were over Zoom, so she wasn’t even able to step into the building until a week before the semester started.

In March, LaFerriere was in the middle of grad school, and she had to make the switch to Zoom. She said this gave her the experience of learning over Zoom, so she has a good understanding of what students are dealing with now. 

Despite the obstacles, LaFerriere has enjoyed her experience at Algonquin so far. 

“The teachers have been phenomenal,” LaFerriere said. “They are all so enthusiastic to just be good teachers and share their knowledge, and the kids have been great,”

During an election year, LaFerriere believes it is her job as a social studies teacher to help her students comprehend the information given and to help them form their own opinions. 

“I’m a social studies teacher who hates politics,” LaFerriere said.

Although contentions in politics may be stressful LaFerriere still enjoys history. Ancient civilizations like Egypt sparked her interest in social studies as a kid, and she hopes to spread her curiosity to her students. She plans to travel to the Mayan and Aztec ruins someday and see the history in person. 

“I like telling and sharing these stories of American history because they were normal people not that different from us,” LaFerriere said. 

LaFerriere spent her college years studying American history and playing lacrosse in Europe. She enjoys kayaking, hiking and spending time outdoors. 

“I’d much rather be outside,” LaFerriere said. “I’d have the windows open all year round if I could.”