Samantha Gonzalez-Block

I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, a diverse town where we were not only taught to accept each others' differences, but to celebrate them. I myself am a product of diversity: my mother is a Puerto Rican Presbyterian and my father is of Jewish and Eastern European descent. This rich combination sparked a personal fascination for the religions and cultures of the world.

At a young age, I began acting as an 'apprentice' to my mother – a world-class Spanish teacher. This is where my love for teaching began. My mother spoke to me in both Spanish and English at home and often had me help her teach. Some of the highlights throughout the years include, teaching workshops about important Latin celebrations, creating Latin travel videos and teaching Latin dancing. While growing up, I always looked for opportunities to teach. From elementary school all the way through high school, I was very involved in a local children's theater called Essex Youth Theater. From actor to assistant director, I grew as a student of theater and my love for performing, playwriting, singing, dancing, and directing grew. When I was not in the theater, I was planning my own school. From middle school through high school, my friends and I opened up a Saturday school for my little sister and her friends. We acted as the professors, teaching all of the core subjects to the girls, along with extra-curriculars. The school was great fun and I was thrilled to be stretching my teaching wings.

In high school, I founded and ran a salsa club where I taught many types of Latin social dancing. This was not only a great opportunity to teach, but it also became a positive pastime for male and female teenagers. During this same time, I was elected president of my theater club. This position helped me to become more polished at multitasking and to become a more effective leader. Outside of school, I taught Sunday school, babysat and tutored. In addition, I became a prolific creative writer. I wrote poetry that touched on contemporary issues. I also wrote a play that later won a state award and was performed by a theater company.

I attended Barnard College and majored in religion which allowed me to explore my interests in philosophy and history. I concentrated in Jewish Studies and Christianity. I also became a part of the Barnard Education Program. Throughout college, I helped to teach drama at PS 87 and the Manhattan School for Children. I did my practicum, along with Professor Hill, at PS 125. I student taught in a dual language inclusion classroom at PS 75. I was involved in theater at Columbia University and I also took (and continue to take) classes in Flamenco and voice. I studied abroad in both Spain and Chile. In addition, I hosted my own radio show and was a member of a number of cultural clubs on campus.

These days, I am involved in a play-reading group and continue to teach dance and write. Last winter, I was hired by the CSS student council to teach Latin dancing for their school dance. This is when I was first introduced to the CSS family. I returned a few months later to choreograph a merengue for Professor Hill's dance class, which they performed at the Spanish Assembly. In May, I taught a class on Peer Pressure as part of the CSS Sexuality Workshops. In June, I was thrilled to teach the Academic Support mini-semester course at CSS. In the short time that I have been at this school, I have learned that CSS is a unique and special place. I look forward to teaching at CSS this coming fall.