by Italian Teacher Irene Sorensen

My first conversation with Mr. Joe McPherson was in 2006, when he interviewed me for a teaching position at the school that was soon to open its doors. I thought he was looking for a Latin teacher, but he told me he wanted to have Italian in the curriculum: he was picturing his Brookewood girls being capable of ordering carbonara in proper Italian, the beautiful language of Dante. I was surprised he wasn’t thinking of having Spanish, a much more useful language to know for an American. After all, Americans have managed to travel to Italy and enjoy it very much without knowing a word in Italian. Joe told me he didn’t want a language for its useful potential, but rather for its rich culture and its beauty. The idea of Brookewood students speaking Italian gave him joy. 

His desire has since become mine and has been the goal for my teaching: sharing with my students the beauty of the Italian language and culture. Beauty is a wonderful way to be introduced to God: it requires only to be received. In front of a painting from Caravaggio or a fresco from Giotto, I am deeply moved as I am immersed into the truth. And it gives me joy. Wearing a beautiful dress from an Italian designer gives me joy. Being able to make a good carbonara and sharing it with friends gives me joy. Reading the story of the great love between Dante and Beatrice shows me how true love and poetry are deeply connected, and it gives me joy. Sharing all this with my students and guiding them to meet the Italian masters in art, literature, fashion, cuisine, gives me joy. My 16th year of teaching at Brookewood has just ended. Many students have been introduced to the beauty of the Italian language and culture in my classes. Many of them can make delicious authentic carbonara, can pronounce it correctly and experience joy. Dear Joe, I hope I have made your desire true, by making it my own.