Getting to know…Deb Benedict, English Department Chair
Photo Credit: Mark Sackley
Deb Benedict, English Department Chair, teaches at the honors junior level.
November 20, 2009 • Mark Sackley
Filed under News, People, Uncategorized
Mrs. Deb Anklam Benedict is the English Department Chair at DV. Anklam is her maiden name, and she has taught in eight schools, including schools in Texas, Virginia, and Arizona.
Q: What inspired you to start teaching?
A: I love to teach. When I was in school, I lifeguarded and taught swim lessons during the summer. When I taught the lifeguarding class, I realized I really enjoyed working with the older kids—the teenagers. I even trained my brother—quite fun!
Q: What is the scariest thing you have experienced?
A: My scariest/exciting moments were being shot at when teaching in Texas and getting out the fire in the teacher’s hair. She would scream when the students pulled knives, so they set her hair on fire. I heard her scream and ran into the room and put the fire out. It was close.
Q: What is the strangest place you have ever traveled to and why?
A: I don’t think that I have been any place really strange. My experience on the reservation was fascinating and different. My girlfriend and I pretended to be Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, and we created a raft and floated on the river. We were at band camp and didn’t bother to tell anyone, so the whole camp was looking for us when we came strolling back—Yes, we were in trouble!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I will probably still be teaching. I will teach until I don’t love it like I do right now. When I retire, I want to draw and paint—maybe write a book and play tennis?
Q: What do you feel are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
A: My strength is that I am a good listener and communicate well. I have raised four children and am empathetic. I am extremely organized and set my expectations high in everything that I do. My weakness is that I don’t like the spotlight and attempt to avoid it.
Q: What do you believe a student needs to succeed?
A: A student needs the desire and the drive to learn—also confidence.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
A: My parents are my role models. Also, my husband is an amazing person. When he was injured, the positive attitude that he held and the compassion he had for others made me want to emulate him. He almost died, and yet, he was always concerned for everyone else. (I have always loved Norman Rockwell! He captures the human essence in his art!)
Q: What is the best meal that you have ever had?
A: We have a family tradition of flat enchiladas. I learned how to make my Grandma’s enchiladas from scratch. The kids and my dad request them for special meals; however, they take me about a day to make. I am not the cook; my husband is. He can cook anything, and I love everything he makes. I just do the dishes.
Q: Do you ever want to be on a reality show? If so, which on and why and if not, why not?
A: No, I have a brother and a son who love that kind of thing. When I was five I was on Romper Room and had parts of some advertising and a General Electric commercial. My brother has acted, and J.P., my oldest son, tried out for The Apprentice. His comments made the paper, and he made it as far as Calif. and the semi finals. He and his wife were just on the Newlywed Show.
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