The student news site of Westford Academy

WA Ghostwriter

The student news site of Westford Academy

WA Ghostwriter

The student news site of Westford Academy

WA Ghostwriter

Rebecca Ingerslev: WA Round 2

By Abby Cianciolo
Staff Writer

Rebecca Ingerslev, an English teacher here at Westford Academy, did not venture far from her high school roots to start her teaching career. As a graduate of the class of 1992, Ingerslev found herself back at home teaching in the same high school she grew up in.

Well, almost the same high school. Since her years as a student, WA has undergone many significant changes. First of all, Ingerslev recalls changes in the size of the school.

From the almost 19 years since she was a student here, the school has doubled in size. This includes larger offices and more spaces. Additionally, the Performing Arts Center is a new addition since Ingerslev was a student here.

Other changes Ingerslev noticed were the higher caliber of student performance and the increase in diversity.

“The students have also changed. The top students are just amazing these days; far more impressive than I was. There is also much more diversity,” says Ingerslev.

One thing that hasn’t changed, according to Ingerslev, is the student participation and involvement, from the various clubs available. This is an area the English teacher is clearly aware of.

“I was in Student Council all 4 years, secretary my senior year. I was in Spanish Club all 4 years, President my senior year…I was in National Honor Society my sophomore year through senior year, and I was in the Art Club,” recalls Ingerslev.

Sports were another interest for Ingerslev during her four years at WA. She was on the JV Soccer team her freshman and sophomore years, advancing to varsity soccer her junior and senior years. Ingerslev was also a member of the cross-country ski team during its first year, when she was a junior.

Ingerslev is what most people would consider a well-rounded student, not only in sports and activities, but also in her school work.

“I was very hard-working, focused and involved in activities,” says Ingerslev.

And Ingerslev’s hard work wouldn’t have been possible without the help of her teachers. Some of these teachers are still educators at Westford Academy today. These include Donna Kavanagh, Cathy Coughlin, Joe Spadano, Anne Stowe, Stephanie Devlin, and Mark Lucey.

One teacher, Kavanagh, stood out from the rest for Ingerslev, as she added, “Mrs. Kavanagh is one of the reasons I wanted to be a teacher. The debate we did on Hamilton in AP US History was epic.  She never did tell us who won; it was boys versus girls, and it got pretty heated.”

As do many students, Ingerslev had her own shining moment from her time at WA. This moment came at the end of her senior year when she was selected to deliver her class’ graduation speech.

“Back then, the top four students were the honors speakers, which was a nice way to recognize them publicly for their hard work.  I cringe at the actual speech I gave, and no one from my class could hear me, since we were up on the stage at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium…but it was still a huge honor,” said Ingerslev.

After graduation, Ingerslev continued onto Duke University for her BA degree, and received her master’s degree at Stanford University. These universities are very far from Westford, but somehow Ingerslev found her way back to teach.

“I was working as a long-term substitute at Belmont High School and a former teacher at WA called me up and said, ‘Eva Brown is retiring, and she wants you to take her job.’ It was January of 2000, and I applied, and interviewed and was offered the job on the spot…it turned out I was very happy here, so I stayed,” says Ingerslev.

Now, some may say being a teacher here gives her an advantage, seeing as she was once in her students’ shoes. Ingerslev does not see it exactly this way, but rather more fun and exciting.

“I don’t know if it makes it any easier to teach here…but it is certainly fun to be able to say, ‘Mr. Haight was my biology teacher too, isn’t he an amazing artist?'” recalls Ingerslev.

Overall, being a student here a few years ago and now being a teacher at WA has been a great experience for the English teacher. Ingerslev says she does see herself working here in the future.

“I want to get a chair from the trustees for 25 years of service.  My husband would love to move to California or Europe, though, so we will have to see what the future holds for us!” said Ingerslev.

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