Staff spotlight: a Q&A with Ms. Morehouse

Adriana Morehouse has been teaching Spanish at multiple levels at ARHS for more than 20 years. She is a role model for many students, known for being passionate about her job as a teacher, but also she’s known because of her excellent taste in fashion. Let’s get to know her better!

Fredo: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Ms. Morehouse: First, I want to thank you for interviewing me! The best piece of advice that I have received came from my father. He said “Always give your best in whatever you do and have passion in whatever you do. Do everything with passion and with love, and be true to yourself and be honest about who you are.”

Fredo: What’s one talent you have that no one here knows about?

Ms. Morehouse: Well, perhaps some don’t know that I love dancing and listening to music and I also love learning about different cultures.  

Fredo: When you die, what do you want to be remembered for?

Ms. Morehouse: I think I would like people to remember me as a person who was honest and a person who was caring and respectful of others. 

Fredo: What person has made a big impact on your life?

Ms. Morehouse: I think the person who I admire, respect, and love more than anybody in the world has been my grandmother. She was very caring, she was always her true self. She lived her life the way that worked for her. She is a remarkable woman, because being a Latina woman whose husband died like 30 years ago, she lived by herself. Everyone wanted her to have company and to live with someone else, but she always wanted her independence and to live her life the way she wanted. [Her example] has been very important to me.  

Fredo: Is there anything you dislike in your work life?

Ms. Morehouse: I don’t like grading. I think students think that I love grading because I give a lot of tests, but it’s not my favorite part of my job. 

Fredo: What does a perfect day look like?

Ms. Morehouse: I wake up at my own pace and have one wonderful cup of Colombian coffee. I go for a walk, for exercise.  I have a chance to read and then spend time with family and friends. And I plan a trip with somebody that I enjoy spending time with. 

Fredo: What’s your biggest fear?

Ms. Morehouse: I am very concerned about health issues so my biggest fear is getting sick or anything that relates to my health or the health of my family. 

Fredo: If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what’s one thing you’d say?

Ms. Morehouse: I would say, “Have more fun and don’t worry about so many things that are meaningless in the long run.” 

Fredo: What is a piece of advice you would give to someone? 

Ms. Morehouse: To live life with passion and respect, and don’t compare yourself with anybody, because everybody has a different path, a different passion, and different talents.