Interview | Ms. Bucci
by Nicole Filipowicz
Ms. Abby Bucci grew up in Cinnaminson, New Jersey and graduated from Cinnaminson High School. She has had a passion for teaching ever since she was young. She graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2020, and became an English teacher at Nottingham at the start of the 2021 school year.
Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A: I love the idea that as a teacher you never stop learning–from your students to your own professional development. Continually learning about topics I’m passionate about is something I hope I never stop doing. As I was nearing the deadline to declare a major at TCNJ, I thought about what job would allow me to continue to be a learner and discuss topics I’m passionate about, that is also interpersonal. Teaching seemed like the route to take. Growing up, I would always make my younger brother play school. I would create real assignments, force him to complete them, and grade them for him. I think I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher, but really fell in love with the profession during my pre-service preparation at TCNJ.
Q:What is one memorable achievement from your college career?
A: During my time at TCNJ, I was president of their chapter of the English Honor Society. In my graduate year with the school, I was awarded the P.C. Somerville Future Teachers Award from Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. This award is given to one individual in the nation who demonstrates academic excellence, chapter service to Sigma Tau Delta, and an aptitude for teaching. I was incredibly thankful to receive this distinction among the pool of other talented applicants, and to be granted the stipend the award includes to support me during my first year of teaching.
Q: What drew you to work at Nottingham High School?
A: During my student teaching experience at TCNJ, I taught at Steinert and loved my time in Hamilton. As graduation crept closer, I was hoping that there would be openings within the Hamilton district. Nottingham, specifically, caught my interest because of the school culture and offered programs. When I was at my final interview for the position, I met a few of the staff members in the English department and instantly knew that Nottingham’s English department was a good place to be.
Q: What is your role in the school?
A: At Nottingham, I teach English 9B as well as Dual Enrollment English 101/102. I love the duality of my classes as I get to help freshmen adapt to the high school environment as well as work with seniors in a college-level course and support them in their transition to university. I am a co-advisor of Nottingham’s Literary Magazine, Calestis, which is truly an awesome publication that highlights the creative work and art of Nottingham students. Additionally, I am a tutor at Empower Hour as well as a member of the Community Outreach Team. On the Outreach team, I have helped facilitate parent outreach events and I am currently in the works of organizing a penny wars race for our spring spirit week for a local assisted living facility.
Q: What are some things you would like students to know about you?
A: My pride and joy is named Linc, he’s a 4 month old chocolate lab mix–we joke that his full name is Lincoln Financial (I guess I was forced into the Eagles fandom by my family). I love baseball games, live music, and of course, reading.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being a Northstar staff member so far?
A: The day before winter break. My students wrapped up term projects the day before, so I used the half day as a SEL (social and emotional learning) day. One of my seniors in 101 brought in a Nintendo Switch and we played games and chatted. Getting to see my students as whole people, not just students in my classroom, is my favorite part of teaching–something I consider necessary even. Going to my students’ sports games, hearing about their jobs, sharing pictures of pets, and everything else that leads to the creation of the connected community that has been established at Nottingham has been great to be a part of.
Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A: I love the idea that as a teacher you never stop learning–from your students to your own professional development. Continually learning about topics I’m passionate about is something I hope I never stop doing. As I was nearing the deadline to declare a major at TCNJ, I thought about what job would allow me to continue to be a learner and discuss topics I’m passionate about, that is also interpersonal. Teaching seemed like the route to take. Growing up, I would always make my younger brother play school. I would create real assignments, force him to complete them, and grade them for him. I think I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher, but really fell in love with the profession during my pre-service preparation at TCNJ.
Q:What is one memorable achievement from your college career?
A: During my time at TCNJ, I was president of their chapter of the English Honor Society. In my graduate year with the school, I was awarded the P.C. Somerville Future Teachers Award from Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. This award is given to one individual in the nation who demonstrates academic excellence, chapter service to Sigma Tau Delta, and an aptitude for teaching. I was incredibly thankful to receive this distinction among the pool of other talented applicants, and to be granted the stipend the award includes to support me during my first year of teaching.
Q: What drew you to work at Nottingham High School?
A: During my student teaching experience at TCNJ, I taught at Steinert and loved my time in Hamilton. As graduation crept closer, I was hoping that there would be openings within the Hamilton district. Nottingham, specifically, caught my interest because of the school culture and offered programs. When I was at my final interview for the position, I met a few of the staff members in the English department and instantly knew that Nottingham’s English department was a good place to be.
Q: What is your role in the school?
A: At Nottingham, I teach English 9B as well as Dual Enrollment English 101/102. I love the duality of my classes as I get to help freshmen adapt to the high school environment as well as work with seniors in a college-level course and support them in their transition to university. I am a co-advisor of Nottingham’s Literary Magazine, Calestis, which is truly an awesome publication that highlights the creative work and art of Nottingham students. Additionally, I am a tutor at Empower Hour as well as a member of the Community Outreach Team. On the Outreach team, I have helped facilitate parent outreach events and I am currently in the works of organizing a penny wars race for our spring spirit week for a local assisted living facility.
Q: What are some things you would like students to know about you?
A: My pride and joy is named Linc, he’s a 4 month old chocolate lab mix–we joke that his full name is Lincoln Financial (I guess I was forced into the Eagles fandom by my family). I love baseball games, live music, and of course, reading.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being a Northstar staff member so far?
A: The day before winter break. My students wrapped up term projects the day before, so I used the half day as a SEL (social and emotional learning) day. One of my seniors in 101 brought in a Nintendo Switch and we played games and chatted. Getting to see my students as whole people, not just students in my classroom, is my favorite part of teaching–something I consider necessary even. Going to my students’ sports games, hearing about their jobs, sharing pictures of pets, and everything else that leads to the creation of the connected community that has been established at Nottingham has been great to be a part of.