Bethel Teacher Awarded Trip To Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London

English teacher Mary Fernand is planning a two week, expenses paid, trip to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London this summer. According to Kevin Smith, Ph.D., superintendent of Bethel schools, “Mary Fernand won a fellowship from the Greenwich, CT organization, English Speaking Union, to study Shakespeare.”

While Fernand is in London, she will be working with the actors at the Globe. “People from around the world will attend this, so it is an international experience,” Fernand said.

Needless to say, Fernand is very excited. With three in college, she said she could never have afforded the trip on her own. Fernand exclaimed, “It's like winning the lottery! I am so surprised I got it, I am incredulous!”

Smith said he was not surprised Fernand won. He said, “Mary has been an English teacher here for a long time. She is getting her doctorate, and it's no surprise to me that she won this award. It's a very exciting opportunity for her to study Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre and will directly benefit all of the students she teaches.”

The purpose of the organization is to promote the English language and culture and to develop a relationship with people from around the world. In order to win the award, Fernand had to submit a letter of recommendation, be interviewed, and explain how everything she learned would translate into her classroom.

This is Fernand's 12^th year teaching English at Bethel High School. She said that teaching Shakespeare to high school students can be a challenge. “There are kids who love the language, and there are students who struggle with it. Sometimes they wonder how a man from the 1600s could be relevant to them,” she said. “But once you help them get over the obstacles, they all enjoy the story. Everyone enjoys the stories,” she said.

Fernand said that learning Shakespeare is like learning the jewels of language. “Our language has been so chopped up. Anything that demands more than two minutes of a student's time is a challenge for them,” she said. Drawing on a quote from "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt, Fernand read, “I don't know what it means, and I don't care, because Shakespeare is like putting jewels in your mouth.”

According to the website for the organization, “The Globe Education is the largest theatre education department in England. It now engages 23 full-time staff, over 60 part-time practitioners and welcomes over 100,000 people a year of all ages and nationalities for workshops, talks and courses at the Globe.”