Reb Shaw: Ms. Whyte, thank you so much for meeting with me today. You should know that as a child, Social Studies was always one of my favorite subjects. I loved the stories and the reports that we often presented. I look back on those days with great fondness; but enough about me,   where are you from?

Ms. Whyte: I grew up in College Park, Maryland, but have spent most of my adult life in Parker, a small town along the Allegheny River. Actually Parker still retains its city charter obtained during the Oil Boom days of the late Nineteenth Century, and claims to be the "Smallest City in the U.S."

Reb Shaw: Where did you go to school? 

Ms. Whyte: I graduated with my teaching degree from Slippery Rock University.

Reb Shaw: So what led you to teach at Hillel? 

Ms. Whyte: I was yearning to return to the classroom, and I saw the job posted on Craig's List.  I was happy to get called in for an interview and thrilled to be hired for the social studies position!

Reb Shaw: And we're happy to have you here. Where have you taught previously? 

Ms. Whyte: I taught for over a dozen years at ACV, the junior-senior high school in the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District.

Reb Shaw: What excites you about Social Studies?

Ms. Whyte: It would probably be easier (and shorter) to state what doesn't excite me about the Social Studies.  I really love all the subjects that this discipline contains:  history, geography, psychology, sociology, and economics because each deals with people. And what is more fascinating than people? People are capable of such wonderful accomplishments. I like the way the social studies connect us to the past, make the present more understandable and meaningful, and helps prepare us for the future. Through the social studies we can better understand ourselves individually and see the potential impact each of us can have on those around us and on the future generations. 

Reb Shaw: Definitely. Do you know what Redd Up Pittsburgh is? 

Ms. Whyte: I have to admit that I didn't.  So, I Googled it and found it to be a seemingly worthwhile program.

Reb Shaw: Civic Arena or Consol Energy Center? 

Ms. Whyte: I'm not sure that I understand the question.  While I support all Pittsburgh sports teams, I prefer to watch games on TV while relaxing on the couch (and generally grading papers at the same time.)  My favorite sport to watch is football.

Reb Shaw: Ok, it's seventy-two degrees on a Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh, pick your ideal recreation.

Ms. Whyte: That's an easy question to answer: go for a walk. I love the variety of sights that can be seen in and around Pittsburgh. Whether it be looking at the different styles of architecture of the houses and buildings or seeing the variety of flowers and other vegetation growing (gardening is a favorite hobby of mine), gazing at what's happening on the rivers or even watching the traffic move along the roads and bridges, there is always something interesting to see. I guess being a social studies teacher has made me a people-watcher. I like walking around, saying "hello" to people I meet, and getting a glimpse at the way they personalize their environment. Obviously, I enjoy the exercise, too.

Reb Shaw: How have your four weeks in Hillel changed your life?  

Ms. Whyte: It has been an interesting and wonderful experience. The other teachers and the administration and staff have been very nice and welcoming and have assisted me whenever I had a question. I'm quite impressed with the students: they're quite motivated and know their stuff! They are generally a pleasure to work with, and I'm really enjoying being their teacher.

Reb Shaw: Finally, Ms. Whyte one last question. Have you tried Chef Brown's pizza?

Ms. Whyte: No. But I've heard that it's good. Since pizza is a favorite food of mine, I'm sure it is just a matter of time before I get to try it. Thank you, Daniel, for the interview.  You've asked interesting questions. If I can be of assistance in any other way, please let me know.

Reb Shaw: Thank you Ms. Whyte. It was great meeting with you.