Stephanie Nebel, 2017 Leadership Lab graduate, Science teacher, Advisor, and Program Coordinator at Elisabeth Morrow School, NJ
- Who are your favorite writers?
My absolute most favorite book of all time is a beautiful children’s novel titled Mandy (by the most wonderful Julie (Andrews) Edwards – Mary Poppins!!) that I discovered either at our local bookshop or at the school Book Fair when I was in middle school. I also find inspiration on the pages penned by Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, J.K. Rowling, Charlotte Brontë, Bill Bryson, Sandy Gingras, Maya Angelou, and poet Sarah Kay.
- Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents immediately spring to mind. They taught me the value and importance of hard work, dedication, and kindness and have been my number one cheerleaders since the beginning. I was fortunate enough to have one phenomenal teacher after another and consider each a personal hero for their inspiration and guidance. I admire the grit and determination of American alpine ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin.
- Who or what motivated you to become an educator?
This is a really tough question to answer, because it wasn’t necessarily a single person or event that propelled me into teaching, rather a long, winding journey (filled with people and events) that got me to now. I can think of two events from my youth that inspired me to teach middle school (which was simultaneously both the scariest and most courageous decision I ever made).
First, I was fascinated by geology when I was in eighth grade, forgot about this in high school, then rediscovered it in college (where I fell hardcore in love with it.) I majored in geology and then went to graduate school and got to learn about and see the world. I wouldn’t have thought to take that first geology class in college if that spark hadn’t been lit in middle school. Second, I felt like an outsider in middle school. I remember this one day, I was having a pretty hard go of things and my teacher recognized this, looked at me, and said: “we need more people like you in this world.” This really stuck with me, and I hope that I, too, can thoughtfully encourage the young people I interact with.
- Your idea of happiness…
On the wall between my kitchen and my living room hangs a turquoise painting that reads “Today I will be as happy as a bird with a french fry” (which I found, in all places, at the Minneapolis airport) and it immediately spoke to me because this defines how I view happiness. I am an eternal optimist and find happiness, joy, and wonder in everyday moments – watching deer grazing amidst the dewy grass early in the morning, being challenged to a tickle fight by my six-year-old nephew (I always lose), conversations I have with my students, the peace and quiet of a mid-winter snowstorm, baking with my mom, and skiing with my dad (just to name a few).
- In a nutshell, what is your definition of leadership?
To me, a leader is an individual who rises to meet challenges head-on, embracing them and the people with whom they intersect with compassion, integrity, creativity, and intention. Leaders embrace and learn from their mistakes. They are deeply relational and honor the strengths and circumstances that each individual brings to the table. Leaders thoughtfully encourage these individuals to use their strengths in ways that benefit the group.
- What would you change about cell phones in schools?
I started typing this on my family vacation to Vermont. As I was thinking, I would look out the window and watch the sites whiz by – vast open fields, the beautiful Catskill Mountains, and an eagle snacking on something on the ice of a thawing pond. I would not have seen any of this if I had buried my head in my phone. I have a like/dislike relationship with my phone. I love the convenience of having an encyclopedia, GPS, camera, etc. at my fingertips. However, I have also spent the past few years trying to curtail my cell phone usage, most especially when I would waste hours on my phone scrolling, essentially doing nothing.
I haven’t yet found the value that cell phones add to the educational experience. I feel as if school hours should be dedicated to learning from and interacting with one another. Phones really have no part in this.
- What do you most value in your friends?
My friends are a source of inspiration for me. I value their curiosity, compassion, empathy, sense of humor, honesty, humility, integrity, and willingness to always indulge in ice cream. I further appreciate them because they are always pushing me to be a better version of myself.
- What do you do for self-renewal?
As an introvert, I tend to find the most peace and opportunity for renewal in quiet, contemplative, and challenging activities that allow me to kick around ideas and thoughts in creative ways. I love learning new things! I enjoy skiing, baking, writing, running, reading, playing my violin, napping, ceramics, and playing tennis and soccer.
- Who is your hero/ heroine of fiction?
I admire Hermoine Granger’s level-headedness, intellect, and compassion, Newt Scamander’s empathy and quirkiness, Dory’s optimism (“Just Keep Swimming”), Tow Mater’s (from the movie Cars) loyalty and heart, and Cookie Monster, for his unabashed love of cookies.
- What is your current state of mind?
I currently feel 100% content with life, inspired, and ready to go. I’m excited and optimistic about the future.