The Minds Behind the Hawkeye: Ms. Mauti

This month's inside scoop features the teacher moderator of the Hawkeye.

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What is your full name? 

Nadia Jennifer Mauti. 

 

What’s your favourite Nickname?

Nad cause that's what my mom used to call me and what my dad calls me. 

 

What post-secondary institution did you attend?

Let's just say I spent time at Western and leave it at that. *laughing*

 

What is your favourite colour?

Red.

 

When is your birthday?

June 11th, in six days. Yeah I’m going to be 25 in my mind! 

 

What is your favourite book and/or book series?

I have a few favourite books, can I name a bunch? Ok well 1984, and I’m still bummed I didn’t teach it to you. Alice in Wonderland, and A Tale of Two Cities.

 

What's your favourite movie?

Hmmm… That's tough. Can I name a few? Oldie I like Casablanca, I like SEVEN, I love the Matrix series (except I don't like the last Matrix movie).

 

What's your favorite part about teaching at Holy Cross?

The students, you all have personality. It’s never a dull day and I find that the students here, it’s easy to build a rapport with them. Yes academics is important but you do activities in the school, you’re very well rounded. 

 

What’s your greatest professional achievement?

Honestly, it’s the books I chose for IB. Because I think I chose books you normally wouldn’t have read, and they were diverse which helped you see different parts of the world.

 

What’s your dream vacation?

Iceland to see the Northern Lights.

 

What was your first job?

An assistant for my dad, a couple of hours after school, a couple days a week. (Editor: That’s what I did.) Ya? *laughs* Nepotism at its finest!

 

Do you have any advice for students who want to be teachers?

Yes, don’t expect it to be like your high school experience. Even if you become a teacher within five years it’s going to be vastly different than what you remember. So just be prepared and go into it with an open mind and adapt to the students in front of you, don’t expect them to adapt to you. That was my biggest struggle, once I learned to stop expecting it to be like it was for me, I became a better teacher.

 

What are 5 words that you would use to describe yourself?

Strong, Intelligent, Understanding/Open Minded, Unpredictable, and Generous.

 

What is the theme song of your life and why?

So I have two. Before my mom died it was It’s My Life by Bon Jovi and since my mom died it’s The Show Must Go On by Queen. 

 

What do you like most about leading the paper?

Well selfishly it was getting to work with the three of you. I know we know each other academically but it was nice to see your talents. I enjoyed helping you guys leave a mark and it is because we’re already getting ready for next year and I know you’ve mentored the next editors which will stick. So knowing I had a little front row view of that was really special. Cause not to be bias but your graduation class, your niche of 11 IB students, are very special to me.

 

What’s your favourite book to teach?

1984.

 

What made you pursue literature?

I just always liked to read. Ever since I was a kid and just nothing else ever really made sense for me.

 

What’s your favourite school event to get involved in?

It was really fun to plan the grad breakfast this year, I think it’s nice you all are celebrated in a formal and informal way. And long before you all were here I ran semi formal for like 10 years, that was fun. Now I passed on the reins to Mme Vivilecchia.

 

Now that your first IB class is graduating, how was your experience teaching it?

I liked it, there were growing pains and unfortunately you were my guinea pigs. I think the thing I like most about IB with HL Literature is the books. Unfortunately, it’s hard to always change the books we read, financially, so I like that IB forces us to read more contemporary works from writers who we wouldn’t necessarily pick up. I learned a lot from all of you, what works and what doesn’t work, I took your advice, so thank you. Sorry you were the guinea pigs.

 

Who is your favourite singer and what is your favourite song by them?

Well I guess Freddie Mercury is my favourite singer from Queen. I do love The Show Must Go On, it took on a different meaning after my mom died, and I love Bohemian Rhapsody.

 

What's your favourite section in the newspaper?

I’m gonna say for you the Inside Scoop, not because I'm being interviewed at the moment but because the three of you came up with it. And for next year it’s the comic section they are starting, I’m looking forward to it. 

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What has been your biggest challenge with the Hawk Eye?

I guess finding a balance of encouraging your original thought with my responsibility of practicing foresight, and making sure we are publishing works that are enjoyable for the whole school.

 

What is your favourite ice cream flavour?

Noccholla, hazelnut but gelato only, and maybe a peanut buster parfait.