Our guest for this month's interview is our IBDP coordinator, Ms. Deborah Dale Fontes. Ms. Debs was born in Wasdale, England, a city that she never lived in, and she has loved schools since her childhood. “I love the teachers”, she says, especially her BFFs, Ms. Mary Jo and Ms. Emilly (sorry, Mr. Felipe!) Ms. Debs is a huge fan of jiu-jitsu, pilates, the beach, and nature in general. Due to the influence of her mother - who was also a science teacher - and her passion in helping others, she became the wonderful Bio teacher that she currently is. Ms. Debs and her twin daughters, Stephany and Sophia, joined EARJ in 2018. She also taught HS Biology in Gavea, before coming to the Barra campus.
PP. What would you do for a living if you were not teaching?
DD. Probably something that would help people, like physiotherapy; I’d be a speech therapist or an occupational therapist.
PP. Were you a good student?
DD. No, I was a little bit naughty from time to time, but I was very good at extracurricular activities. Even though I was very good at Biology, I was not very studious since I didn’t study every night for hours. I was good holistically, as I got involved in lots of school activities. I loved the school not necessarily for the lessons, but rather for the community. I was the head of house, played rounders, and joined the sports’ teams.
PP. What is the best and worst thing about having twins?
DD. The best thing is genuinely the company, and the worst thing is the fights. The company is a nightmare though; they fight everyday over such small things. I don’t like fighting, but I do like to have double cuddles.
PP. How do the girls feel about you working at the school they go to?
DD. The other day, they told me that it was amazing because I get to go to their events during COVID, and they get to see me in school while other parents are not allowed to go.
PP. What would you do if you won the lottery?
DD. Firstly, I would buy a house to place my plants and animals, as well as setting up a place where kids on the streets feel safe and get their basic essential needs. Thirdly, I would buy a dream car: Aston Martin DB5, Jaguar, Porsche Cayenne. Lastly, travel during a holiday in first class, somewhere like the Caribbean.
PP. What makes you cry?
DD. I'm very empathetic, so everything makes me cry because I get too attached to something and I understand people's reasoning.
PP. If you could send a message to yourself ten years ago, what would you say?
DD. I would say that ‘everything is a learning experience’ and ‘make a bet to make a fortune’.
PP. What message would you like to share with EARJ students?
“Never stop trying to be the best you can be”.
PP. What advice would you give to students who started or are about to start the IB program?
DD. The IB philosophy is learning how to learn independently, so I recommend being present at school as much as possible, remembering that life should be balanced, using the opportunity to learn the skills that you'll use throughout life.
PP. What do you think is the hardest aspect of the IB?
DD. Organizing your time efficiently.
PP. What would you recommend doing when you don’t know what to pick as their IB subjects?
DD. Do the subjects that you enjoy the most, because you enjoy the content, not because of the teacher.
PP. What message would you like to share with EARJ students?
DD. "Never stop trying to be the best you can be".
"Everything is a learning experience"
Deborah Dale
Photo Source: Ms. Debs, Stephany, Sophia and Ms. Mary Jo
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