While he is fairly new to teaching, Mr. Alek Fleury brings an enthusiastic and unique approach to the subject of English. During his years at the University of Vermont, Fleury played various roles for the school newspaper. With a love for photography, he started out as the photo editor, later working his way up to the role of managing editor where he supervised many of the columns and sections of the paper. After his college career, he worked as a journalist in Vermont, continuing his passion for both writing and photography. More recently, he has decided to move towards a career in teaching.
Q: What made you want to be a teacher?
A: I didn’t start out wanting to be a teacher. When I graduated college I wanted to be a journalist because of my experience with the newspaper and journalism in college. I fell in love with writing in college, and at the newspapers I worked for more recently. The papers were very small and local. I loved being ingrained in the community, but didn’t get as many writing opportunities as I hoped, which led me to think about what I wanted to do next. I thought about who I valued most when I developed my passion for writing, and thought of my teachers, which led me to move towards teaching.
Q: What makes a good student?
A: If a student is showing up and thinking deeply, putting in effort, that is good enough for me.
Q: Who were some teachers that had an impact on you as a student?
A: Definitely a few of my English teachers because of the way they were in love with literature and saw my passion and helped me grow it.
Q: What was your favorite thing about college?
A: I think my favorite thing about college was having the freedom to take the classes I wanted to take and could experience new things every day.
Q: How would you describe your teaching style?
A: I think you learn the best through discussion. I’d say simply discussing and talking about a book, that’s kind of what English is about. The best classes are when there’s so many viewpoints and everyone has something to contribute to the conversation.
Q: What is something difficult you have faced?
A: Building up the courage to leave journalism was pretty hard, especially when you think of how your life will look, and then it changes. Change is a slow process that took me a lot of bravery to move into a new career, but I also knew I had passion to offer in teaching. I think what got me through it was holding some dignity for myself to get through the changes. I think I’ve always believed since I was your age, if your aim is true, everything will work out.
Q: What is the most influential book you have read?
A: For context, Marcel Proust was an author and socialite in France. Late in his life, he went insane and dedicated years of his life writing “Remembrance of Things Past,” which is around 3,000 pages. I’ve read the first volume and it’s called “Swann’s Way” and I think it totally changed how I see the world.
Q: What music has been the most influential to you?
A: When I was in high school, I was really into Lou Reed and David Bowie. In the song “Coney Island Baby” by Lou Reed, he sort of narrated all the things he wished he was in high school and how he just wanted to be a “normal guy,” and I think I sort of empathized with that.
Q: What are a few things you would bring on a deserted island?
A: The book “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy, my stack of photos with family/friends and the places important to me, my pillow, and my guitar.
Q: What are some words you would use to describe yourself?
A: Kind, curious, understanding, and bubbly.
