A radiant smile, a pair of illuminant eyes, and a style that ranged from the softest pinks to the most assertive blacks — That’s Ms. Mitchell, whose heart is so passionate and enthusiastic to the point where she cannot endure silence in her classroom.
It was a bright Thursday afternoon when I talked to her. She laughed off the formality of our conversation as “doing an IO”, setting a light and inviting tone.
"Loads and loads of different things," she answered to my inquiry about moving to Shanghai.
She was the head of the English Department back in her old school. Her decision to leave the UK was born from a combination of professional fulfillment and a yearning for greater impact.
"I was in a position where I felt like, professionally, I'd developed myself enough to know the impact I could have on that demographic of students. And I thought, right, how can I have more impact?"
She spoke of Manchester, the place she grew up, and life becoming too predictable in its rhythms and routines.
Young Ms. Mitchell with her mum and grandmother: Two absolute rocks for finding her voice as a woman
“I thought I need something different, I need to see the world, I need to meet people who are different from myself, and expand my horizons."
She began to seek new opportunities, and it was during this introspective phase that Lu Xun's "Diary of a Madman" fell into her hands and sparked her initial interest in China.
"The landscapes that you can see on Google, the different ethnicities, all different kinds of people... I just thought, oh my gosh, this is a community, a culture, a world, if you will, that is entirely different from my own, and that I need to know more about."
She said it with genuine curiosity – a heart swelled with the quest to explore the unknown and different perspectives.
“I come from a humble background” She recounted her childhood experiences.
Her father, who was a member of the armed forces, had sown in her the seeds of adventure with his tales.
“He would tell me stories at night as I'm going to bed about adventures in the Belize jungle and tribes that he'd been with and the ice-cold mountains of Norway.”
Ms. Mitchell with her best friends at an army camp
The vivid pictures he painted fueled her wanderlust, but it becomes evident that her life’s narrative was dynamic in the whirlwind of relocations as she often transferred schools.
“Literature became my escape and a constant in my life, providing comfort amidst the frequent moves,” she commented.
Within the sanctuary of literature amidst the backdrop of different cultures and landscapes, her views on gender equity and equality began to crystalize.
“I observed inequalities that affected me, especially in school," she recalled.
"For example, girls weren't allowed to play football, and neither teachers nor boys could explain why. We also had literature classes where boys and girls were separated, which felt outdated.
She was a witness to disparities throughout her childhood, silently shaping her upbringing destined to explore and question the world’s structure.
“The history and culture taught in UK schools are minimal,” she observed.
“After coming here and interacting with the people, I learned about China's rich history, literature, art, and food."
Ms. Mitchell at the TOP of Yellow Mountain!
Intrigued by her spirit of being fully connected to different parts of the world, I asked about her dream travel locations.
“I want to explore every part of China, climb its mountains, try local cuisines, and meet different people. I’ve already traveled to India and Nepal and enjoyed it immensely. I’d also like to visit Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Japan.
She had many inspiring conversations with the women in Nepal working in the rice paddies.
“They truly opened my mind and heart to the perspectives and experiences of women globally.”
Her language emanates the aspiration to unravel the essence of humanity. Her eyes, aglow and curious, speak of an innate sincerity to embrace the world in its entirety.
Women in Nepal
I further asked about her hobbies, she revealed a fondness for animals and her passion for music.
“I play the piano and flute to a high standard, having achieved grade eight before age 10. I don’t usually talk about this; it’s not typical in British culture to boast about achievements.”
I laughed heartily at her candor and humor. Her eyes sparkled while she nodded to my suggestion of playing one of them during our school’s talent show.
Aside from being an English teacher, she shared her experiences as the B House Housemistress.
“Initially, I felt like I didn’t truly understand that role. It was completely new to me. Last year, I was unsure of myself, and this year, I feel like I’ve just got the best relationships with the students in B house.”
The pastoral role was challenging for her, especially in communicating with certain individuals. Yet, it was a random Tuesday night duty where things changed.
“I had such amazing conversations with these girls, just laughing, joking, and chatting about their day at school”
“That night, at the end of the day, all the students were in bed, they were safe, and it was quiet.”
“I just stood there in this moment of silence."
She recounted that as her best memory. Forty minutes passed as our conversation neared its end, she told me that the path to teaching had not been straightforward. It was a journey redirected from medicine to the discovery of a passion for English and linguistics.
"Teaching was a way to do something I love every day," she said, her voice tinged with the satisfaction of a calling fully embraced.
As we parted ways, I realized my hunger had been replaced by a different kind of fulfillment. She gave me a lollipop – a tradition from her English class. The sweetness lingers, subtly reminding me of the distinct uniqueness of her presence.
Her smile :)