Monique Rothe on a field trip with her class.
Monique Rothe, NTCA’s upper school humanities teacher, discovered her love of educating others when she started teaching horseback riding lessons at the age of 11.
Growing up in Gray, TN, Ms. Rothe spent every possible minute of her childhood on farms with horses. Her family always had pets, a tradition she carries on with her two cats — Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry — and two goats — Huckleberry and Jedidiah. Along with the love of animals, her love of teaching started early on.
A former English teacher of Ms. Rothe’s named Mrs. Greer inspired a love of literature that helped Ms. Rothe decide she wanted to become an English teacher herself. She learned that “literature and writing are LIFE,” a message she passes on to her classes. Ms. Rothe tells new students that they will learn two things: what they think and how to say it well. Over time, she has learned that this simple explanation helps students understand and apply their lessons.
“The biggest influencer is years,” Ms. Rothe said. “When one has taught for a while, it gets easier to see what really matters.”
Monique Rothe in the classroom
Ms. Rothe’s teaching career started in 1992 after she graduated from Southern College of Seventh-Day Adventists (now SAU) as an English and secondary education major. At NTCA, she enjoys working in an atmosphere that respects traditions but always looks for new ways to innovate. Her favorite part of teaching at the academy is the moment when a concept clicks for a student.
“The best part of my job is seeing students ‘get’ something— anything,” Ms. Rothe said. “When a student suddenly understands or sees the significance or makes a connection, I am high for days.”
Aside from caring for animals and helping students, Ms. Rothe enjoys reading and watching movies. Some of her many favorite movies are The Princess Bride, Pretty Woman, Ever After, Die Hard and all 10 Avengers movies. She enjoys watching TV shows like Parks and Recreation and Firefly. As far as books go, she loves several of them but finds that one book in particular is worth a special mention.
“I love many, many books and keep going back to them for comfort and inspiration,” Ms. Rothe said. “I do think To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest books ever written.”
Monique Rothe with students on spirit week.
Inspiration comes from many places for Ms. Rothe. If she could have dinner with any three people, she would choose author Sir Terry Pratchett, Jonah and Sojourner Truth. She also has a solid plan for winning the lottery. First, she would pay tithe, then she would give chunks of money to family, friends and strangers. She only needs enough to pay off her house, get the boys through college and have a nest egg for retirement.
“I really mean this,” Ms. Rothe said. “I pray my sinful, selfish nature would not conquer me on this. And I pray God will let me find out soon.”
Ms. Rothe’s faith also informs her teaching philosophy. If her students take away anything from her classes, she hopes they know that God is real and loves them; she loves them; there is no substitute for taking time to think deeply, and, of course, “Literature and writing are LIFE!”
Monique Rothe, Upper School Humanities Teacher
Get to Know Monique Rathe
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I know everyone who knows me thinks I will say chocolate. But actually, it would be potatoes because they are very versatile, and I would not get bored.
What’s your favorite place that you have traveled to, or a place you would like to visit? It’s a tie so far. I love Paris— walking along the Seine, eating a crepe, looking at the Eiffel Tower... I love the whole schmaltzy touristy thing. I also love Edinburgh, Scotland, which felt like home the minute I arrived.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Flying. No question. I have had recurring dreams of flying all my life. I love to be in the air.
What did you want to be when you were little? An astronaut, always an astronaut.
What’s your favorite Bible verse? The two I go by every day are 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Ecclesiastes Chapter 3.
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