Chelsea Stolt
Latin Teacher
At WES Since: 2024
Why did you choose to work at WES?
I knew that WES was the perfect fit for me when I read its vision statement—Washington Episcopal School students stride confidently into the world, delight in it, and contribute to it. My teaching philosophy is to center delight, reflection, and growth in my classes so that students use the learning of Latin to become confident in their ability to do difficult things, find wonder in the world around them, and be inspired to think critially about the challenges that have followed humanity for millennia. I aspire for my classes to be pivotal in helping WES students carry out the school’s vision.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is inspired by Noriko Morishita’s Every Day a Good Day: “Every moment is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.” The story is about the ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony, a strictly orchestrated routine that the narrator practices every day. She reflects that in the age of the samurai when the tea ceremony tradition began, you would never know if it were the last time you would serve tea to someone who was heading to battle. Thus, every ceremony was an important and special occasion. In our modern world, this sentiment is still true: you never know when this precious moment with the person in front of you is the last. Therefore, we should treat every moment as if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, even when our daily routines make it seem like tomorrow will bring another chance. This quote inspires my teaching by reminding me to approach every moment with a student as a special occasion, bringing my full attention, care, and self every time.
Bio:
I started studying Classics as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland, adding to a major in Anthropology and specializing in Classical Archaeology. As a student, I did archaeological fieldwork in the Roman cities of Aeclanum and Pompeii, as well as Ancient Kenchreai in Greece. However, I had volunteered and worked with middle and high school students for my entire undergraduate career, and knew that I wanted to be a teacher. For a year, I taught English in Washington, DC, and sought my Master’s of Education. Missing my studies in Classics, however, I decided to pursue a Master’s of Greek and Latin, during which I began researching Latin pedagogy. I’m thrilled to now be teaching Latin at WES alongside a PhD in Education, in which I am continuing to research classical education and teaching the philosophy of education to undergraduates. When I’m not in the classroom or at school, you can find me at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, where I host field trips and give public tours as a docent.
