ALEXIS GROSS

Tell us something interesting about your family’s Jewish roots.
My great grandmother's cousin wrote the song "My Yiddeshe Momme"... kind of. It was originally called "A heim (home) for a mama", and she played it for someone who eventually took it and changed the name. They played it for people in the business at the time, so now the song is known as "My Yiddishe Momme" and she never got credit for it!

Which elementary school teacher had the biggest impact on you and why?
My middle school science teacher, Mr. Norton. I was not the biggest fan of science, nor was I good at it, but he was always very patient with me and made the class very engaging. He stayed for hours after school helping my classmates and me with projects and test prep, making sure we felt as comfortable and prepared as possible. He was funny and supportive and seemed to know literally everything about science.

Who or what inspired you to be a teacher?
My mom- I grew up watching her as a youth theatre and camp director, and she made every single kid feel welcome, safe, and special both on and off the stage. Her patience and the nurturing environment she created inspired me to want to do the same.