Ms. Beverly Duquette didn’t always see herself becoming a teacher. After many years of working as a script supervisor for plays and films in New York City, Duquette realized something was missing. She came to the realization that her purpose in life was to teach.
“I don’t regret it‒ it’s made me grow in so many ways,” said Duquette, clearly pleased with her decision.
Duquette, who came from the South Kingstown school district, is a new member of the staff at North Kingstown High School. She works in the special education, department supporting students in grades 9-12, teaching a variety of subjects from biology to mathematics.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in communications from University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and her Master’s at a small liberal arts college in New York City, where she would work on films for the next few years. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she was happy to return and work in the local school districts after being away for so long.
She loves the emotional connection she now has to her work, which is what ultimately led her to teaching.
“I love when a student is really struggling [because it requires me to] help them understand the material,” Duquette said. “The profession makes you look within yourself‒ if a student is not responding to you well, it forces you to dig into yourself and grow from there and ask, ‘why is this happening?’ or, ‘is there something that I need to improve?’”
On the other hand, there are many challenges that come with being a teacher, such as coordinating meetings and finding time to do all the paperwork.
Despite these obstacles, Duquette stays motivated by “just having fun” and maintaining a healthy work-life balance by limiting the amount of time she does work outside of school. Watching a student grow and developing a strong connection with them definitely makes the challenging parts of the job worth it.
Outside of the classroom, she is passionate about preserving the environment, enjoys playing tennis, reading memoirs, and attending concerts‒ more specifically 80s rock & roll bands. She also has a profound appreciation for the arts, due to her background working in film. Duquette said she would love to help in some way with the school’s theater productions if given the opportunity.
Duquette believes that a good teacher helps their students become critical thinkers, but above everything else, is able to develop strong bonds with their students.
“What makes a good teacher,” she said, “is respecting the student, believing that they can learn and really making what you’re teaching come alive for them, you know, connecting it to their lives, the history, and incorporating all the senses ‒ creating interest in what you’re teaching them.”
