Where are you from, and what made you decide to work at BHS?
“I am from a small town called Skals in the middle of Denmark. I have been visiting Burlington many times because I have family living on North St. and I really like the city, lake, and nature here. I heard there was an open position teaching BCL11 for the fall semester, so I decided to apply, and I was fortunate enough to get the job. I have been following the BCL-class the last few years because I teach a similar class in Denmark and because Signe Daly (with Dov) is my cousin. The last couple of years I have also been able to bring my project class from Denmark to Burlington to visit BCL and work on projects with them. That has been a big success.”
What do you do here at BHS?
“Together with Signe and Ivy, I run the class Mondays, Wednesdays and on Blue days. Tuesdays and Thursdays we mostly plan our next projects or talk with our community partners. Throughout the Fall semester I also offer the BCL students to do honors together with my students back in Denmark. We meet online and the American students get a Danish partner whom they will do a presentation with. It is sometimes challenging because of the time difference (six hours) and sometimes technical issues but I am confident it will be a success.”
What kinds of things can kids expect from BCL?
“They can expect to be outside a lot. We try to take them outside to learn more about Burlington and Lake Champlain. We have some amazing community partners who will tell us about the history of Burlington, pollution, the parks, homelessness, and our main focus: “What makes a community thrive”. I am not sure you all know how lucky you are to live in this “bubble” in the US. We want to hear about all the good things in Burlington and we want to improve things that are not thriving here. The last couple of weeks we have also been on the lake sailing and exploring. Every other week we have a Fun Block, too, where we just do fun games together. It is very important that the class get on socially.”
What is your favorite part about working with kids?
“I like the energy from students, and I love that you as a teacher can sometimes make a difference. If you are willing to give something of yourself, you can change their view of the world and their own lives. You don’t always succeed but I still believe I can make a difference. I have been working with teenagers for the last 25 years and I am so happy I get the chance to teach at an American High School.”
What was one of your favorite subjects in school?
“I always liked learning about other cultures and countries, so I really enjoyed geography, but my favorite subject was without a doubt PE. I love doing sports and I enjoy teaching it, too.”
What’s something you like to do in your free time?
“I like to bike, hike, swim, and ski, so Vermont is a dream spot for doing that. Besides that, I like to do sports and watch soccer games. When I am over here, I will also try to go to as many sport events as possible.”
What is your favorite book of all time?
“I don’t read a lot of books but I remember reading “Angela’s Ashes” while living in Ireland. That made a big impression on me.”
What is something about you that people might find surprising?
“I really like American cars but while I am here, I will try to get around by walking, biking. Using public transportation and borrowing a car if I am traveling far away. I know my friends back home were expecting me to buy a Camaro or something similar, but I am not going to buy a car.”
Forest, City, Mountains, or Beach and why?
“Back home in Denmark I have a nice summer house on the beach, and I just love the ocean. Even during fall and winter we will get some big storms and I find it fascinating to watch the water roll up on the beach. I have also enjoyed going to the beach here in Burlington if they were not closed.”
Favorite weird food combination?
“I don’t know why but I really like blue cheese and I put it on everything. Some of my friends back home don’t like the smell of it but I always have it in my fridge, and I put in on bread instead of peanut butter which I don’t really like.”
