New teachers we love: Nicole Hamonic

Welcome to ESK, Nicole Hamonic!  This school year Ms. Hamonic will teach Middle School Latin. She is as cool as they come, with a PhD in Latin and Medieval Studies. We know her targeted interest in the Knights Templar and all things Roman history will keep her students riveted, and we can’t wait to learn from her. She answered a few questions for us so we can get to know her a little better.

Q&A with Dr. Nicole Hamonic

What is your favorite summer memory?

Ms. Hamonic: My family camped at Manigotagan River – a beautiful white sand beach in Manitoba, Canada. What made these camping trips particularly special is that, back in those days, we were allowed to pitch our tent right on the beach, near the water, and

 wake up to the waves on the shore.

Did you ever have any scary wildlife encounters? I’m always worried about bears finding me! Who was your favorite teacher?

Ms. Hamonic:  Ms. Thurmeier, my elementary music teacher and private piano lesson teacher. She not only taught me how to read and play music, but also opened up to me the world of musical theory and taught me all about famous composers.

 

Music and world language seem to go together for a lot of people. They provide similar cognitive benefits. Do you have a favorite book?

Ms. Hamonic: Guy Gavriel Kay’s Tigana. Not a well-known book, but was my gateway book into Fantasy and Science Fiction.

 

You’ll be able to share your love for Fantasy and Science Fiction with our students. We have a book club in middle school that favors dystopian and sci-fi novels! What are you most looking forward to about teaching at ESK?

Ms. Hamonic: I look forward to forging new friendships and teaching Latin in the way I wish it had been taught to me – fun, engaging, and steeped in Roman culture.

 

We hope you love working at Episcopal School of Knoxville! We warmly welcome you to ESK’s student-centered and family-focused community.