Name: Stacey Carlough
School: Philadelphia

 

How do you use Shmoop?

I use Shmoop to help me brush up on novels between years of instruction and/or as an accompaniment to my own close readings of text and poems. I use the quotations section to help students read, write, and analyze literature (often in groups!). I encouraged my students to use Shmoop in their AP Literature year-end presentations, as a "refresher" before the AP test to prep for the open essay question. I also use Shmoop to vet materials before I assign them or help enrich my curriculum by finding thematic or other literary connections between texts.

So what’s your favorite Shmoop product?

Learning Guides, Teaching Guides, Test Prep, Courses, Essay Lab, Flashcards. Everything is straightforward, accurate and user-friendly. The content is academically challenging yet written in a way my students and I can understand. Almost all of the AP Lit texts I search for are available and I can trust the interpretations to be nuanced and complete.

Ooh, "nuanced"—we're blushing.

What is the coolest experience you've had using Shmoop?

I love to use Shmoop to deepen my own understandings of texts that I've taught for a few years. I love to be able to push my kids on key points or prep great activities by adding "tidbits" I've gleaned from reading your site to my lessons. I also love to use thematic info in my anticipation activities before we start a text.

What was the last book that made you laugh out loud?

Tina Fey’s Bossypants.

Favorite item in your closet?

My beach bag—YAY FOR SUMMER!

You mean it's not always sunny in Philadelphia, Stacey?

What would be your job on a zombie apocalypse team?

Translator.

If you could translate Zombie moan-yell-speak, that would be the most impressive skill, on top of already being a Shmooperstar.

Do you know a Shmooperstar educator who should be featured on Shmoop? Have them apply. Or, you know, nominate yourself.