FACULTY INTERVIEW: JENNA RUBIN
Tell us about your experience joining Ridgefield Academy as an English teacher.
It’s so welcoming! My mentor, Patricia Carrington, has been instrumental in my transition to RA. She has gone above and beyond to help me settle in, and I am so fortunate to have her as a mentor and friend. The support here is unparalleled; everyone is willing to help each other and step in when it’s needed. From sharing curriculum advice to bonding over a love for puzzles, the adults I work with have made this campus feel like home. This is my first time working with this age group, and I have been so impressed with the students’ enthusiasm and resilience. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!
Tell us about your background before coming to RA.
I moved back to Connecticut to pursue a teaching career after two years in Los Angeles, where I tutored atypical learners and worked at a corporate office. Since then I have worked at private and public schools in a range of roles, including English specialist, library assistant, dorm parent, and varsity volleyball coach.
How have you gotten involved at RA?
In the fall, I coached girls’ volleyball with Kristeen Chickering. Our team was made up of mostly sixth and seventh graders, and I loved bringing my volleyball knowledge to players new to the sport! We had so much fun, and I am looking forward to seeing what other sports and after-school activities I can get involved with. I recently joined a Middle School day trip to New York City to see the NY Philharmonic. Every opportunity to see my students outside of the classroom helps me gain a more holistic understanding of where students are in their growth and development and how RA’s mission is put into practice.
Why did you choose to coach volleyball at RA, and what has the experience of coaching been like?
I played volleyball at the varsity level when I was at Smith College, and then did club volleyball at UConn. My love for the sport has grown with each opportunity I’ve had to coach. Coaching at RA has been a big shift for me, as I’m working with kids who are brand new to the sport. There are no expectations and there is truly no feeling like seeing their unfiltered joy when a new skill clicks for them. At RA, it’s definitely more about the fun we have together and the team experience than about winning. What do you like to do outside of work? My free time is spent with my dog, exploring the area, reading, or doing yoga!