From guiding AP Research projects to hosting Book Club after school on Fridays, Ms. Walsh quickly became a fan-favorite at NYC Museum School. Now in her third year at the school, she teaches AP Seminar and AP Research, bringing both high expectations and a deeply human approach to the classroom.
Ms. Walsh’s path to teaching wasn’t totally straightforward. Although she always felt drawn to the profession, since her grandmother was a teacher, she initially resisted following the same path. She began studying business and business law, but found herself daydreaming about Shakespeare instead. Eventually, she followed her passion, attending SUNY New Paltz for English and Education. After starting as a student teacher and spending time teaching 8th grade, she has now taught in schools for a total of 19 years.
After taking a five-year break to stay home with her son, Tripp, Ms. Walsh returned to teaching, a transition she admits wasn’t easy. “Staying home is easier,” she said, noting the constant energy required to stay engaged in the classroom. That same energy, however, is what defines her teaching style today. She describes herself as someone who feels restless when she’s not busy, saying, “I don’t know how to relax.”
At Museum School, Ms. Walsh embraced new challenges, including teaching AP Seminar, a course she’d never even heard of before joining the school. She quickly grew to love its focus on student-driven inquiry. Last year, she added AP Research to her schedule, learning alongside her students as they navigated independent, long-term projects.
“They require different timelines,” she explained. “As long as people hit the big due dates, I’m happy.”
One of Ms. Walsh’s favorite parts of teaching is “looping,” or working with the same students over multiple years. This allows her to build stronger relationships and push students even further. “My students always meet my expectations, even when I raise them,” she said.
Her students feel a similar affection toward Ms. Walsh as she toward them. Junior Aaron Leitner, a former AP Seminar student, said that “she’s really dedicated to her students,” and he appreciates “how much extra time she’s willing to put in after school.”
When asked about Ms. Walsh, AP Research students had nothing but praise for her character. Junior Maria Sidesinger, said, “I think that Ms. Walsh has been the most…accepting and loving teacher that I’ve probably ever had.” Sidesinger elaborated, stating that “every single student I know has loved being [her] student.”
Junior Sarah Yuce, another AP Research student, described Ms. Walsh as “motherly,” and explained how, with her comforting personality and classroom, “AP Research feels more than just a class. It really just feels like a bunch of people who do the work and just want to be with each other.”
Junior Zoe Barshop, a former student, noted that “even though I’m not in her class this year, she still continues to check up on me.”
At the heart of Ms. Walsh’s teaching philosophy is a desire to be the kind of mentor she didn’t always have growing up. “I didn’t have people in my life as a teen who pushed me hard,” she said. “I want to be that person.” She emphasizes that it’s possible to be both authentic and rigorous in the classroom, to laugh, be real, and to still hold high standards. Maybe that’s why she’s so adored.
