Nicole Ford has been a teacher at WJ for eight years, and has been an active member of this community for even more before that; she was a student teacher here during the 2003-2004 school year. Ford currently teaches Honors U.S. History and AP Psychology, and sponsors the Feed Hope, Habitat for Humanity and Psychology clubs.
What are your extra-curricular interests?
NF: I would say number one is definitely traveling. I mean, certainly I like to hang out with friends and family just like anybody else, and go to movies and go out and about. I like adventure, I have to say. There’s pretty much nothing I wouldn’t do at least once. But again travel, travel has had the biggest impact on my life, it’s changed me the most, I think it’s the best education you can get in the world. I think it’s just something that everybody should do.
How has travel impacted you?
NF: Especially coming from the American perspective, since we are Americans, I think, given our experiences and our place in the world, it’s much more difficult to step outside of that perspective and really get a realistic view of the world. There’s nothing like experiencing something first-hand. I think [travel] fundamentally just changes you when you are exposed to all the different people of the world.
What have been some of your most memorable or crazy adventures?
NF: Vietnam, India [and] Cuba [were] very interesting. We went down to parliament and were given a speech by Fidel Castro; it was very interesting.
What are some of your other interesting or unique hobbies?
NF: I go down to [Washington] D.C. and bum around there and go to museums and stuff. I have to say, in traveling so much, it does make me appreciate what we have here, especially in this area. The melting pot that is this area in terms of — again, this area in diversity of cultures, the museums that we have in D.C., we’ve got a little taste of everything.
What are some of your favorite television shows or movies?
NF: Some favorite movies [would be] Shawshank Redemption and Braveheart, and Slumdog Millionaire is a classic. [Regarding television shows] I gotta admit, I like the “Housewives.” You name the season, it does not matter. I guess I love the, what you would call, trashy TV. It sucks you in, it’s like [a] train wreck. It’s like your guilty pleasure.
