Some may wonder about the spunky English teacher whose room isn’t actually in the English Wing. Molly Pierce is the sea glass-hunting, Harry Potter-loving, banjo-playing, mix-tape-making teacher in room 17.

Mrs. Pierce began working here at KHS in 2001; 2015 marks her 15th year here. Since then, she has made lasting impacts on her students, peers, and associates. Her persona reflecting optimism allows for her classroom criteria to become engaging. Pierce is particularly fond of the novels The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. Pierce admits to being especially captivated by Salinger’s protagonist, Holden. She identifies him as being “a kindred spirit to [her].” On the note of O’Brien’s novel, Pierce shares that, “it’s such a beautiful, emotional, real book that has so much depth and new meaning each time I get the privilege of teaching it.” Her dedication to and passion for the novels she teaches is extremely clear.

Aside from her love of English, the love for her students is extremely clear, as well. Pierce consistently validates her professional and personal relationship with her students. Though she is an English teacher, Pierce describes that what she really strives to do is, “teach young people that life is beautiful.” To encourage and pervade this message, Pierce articulated a well-received “2015 IB English Mix-tape.” Pierce says, “I think the idea behind the mix-tape was to encourage them to find their bright lights and to not let anything extinguish it.” It can be unanimously agreed that few teachers go to such an extent to embolden their pupils in a similar manner. Pierce’s favorite song from the mix-tape is “The Rainbow Connection.”

In addition to being well-read, Pierce is well-traveled too. Her worldly adventures add a specific knowledge and wisdom, which she can in turn incorporate into her profession. One of her favorite expeditions had been her travels to Costa Rica in 2012, where she horse raced with a local on top of a volcano (and won). She described this experience as being “frickin’ awesome.” I agree.

Perhaps the reason Pierce connects so well with her students is because she so vividly remembers what it was like to be one. Pierce is a self-proclaimed “go-getter.” She valued grades and was friends with nearly anyone, though she let few in. She was also “a sweet skateboarder because [she] could pop an ollie,” which granted her the nickname “Ollie.”

Pierce’s personal motto is “Illegitimi non carborundum.” I recommend looking it up.