@Random with English teacher Daria Dewitt
Interview by Garrett Miller and Text by Matt Grantz
March 2 , 2011
The “coolest” thing English teacher Daria DeWitt has ever done was snorkel in Hawaii.
She said her children are her most treasured possession and she is happiest anytime they laugh or smile. Her idea of perfect happiness is health and happiness for her friends and family.
One of her guilty pleasures is a cookies and cream blizzard from Dairy Queen, but the one legal thing she is addicted to is coffee. Additionally, she considers anything from the Oakmont Bakery to be the best dessert ever.
Sour cream, feta cheese and French vanilla coffee creamer are always found in her refrigerator, which has “farm animals that make noise and Steelers magnets” on it.
Taco salad is the best dish she can make, while her favorite meal at her favorite restaurant is the quesadilla explosion at Chili’s.
The oddest thing she has ever eaten is calamari, and one thing she will not eat is sushi because “it’s gross.”
DeWitt has never traveled outside of the United States. Her favorite vacation was a trip to the Outer Banks with her family this past summer.
The movies she would watch over and over are “The Breakfast Club” or “Godfather” – I or II – because they are the movies she grew up with.
One television show she will admit to watching though people may think it’s strange is “Glee,” and one reality show she watches is “Dancing With the Stars.”
The last book she was reading (at the time of her interview) was “The Kite Runner” and her favorite magazine is English Journal.
Her favorite book is any book written by Lisa See because she is DeWitt’s favorite author. In fact, she likes See so much that if she could meet any famous person currently alive, DeWitt would want to meet the author.
DeWitt’s first impression of Leechburg was that it was warm and inviting, like a family. An atmosphere that invites learning is what defines her classroom and, to her, the best part of teaching is seeing students succeed to their own abilities.
When she was in high school, DeWitt participated in track, Student Council and cheerleading. Her favorite subjects were English and public speaking, while one thing she has never been good at is math.
This early bird often finds herself using the phrase “I digress,” but her favorite quote is “You can always be a better person today than the one you were yesterday.” On the other hand, if she could write her own fortune-cookie fortune it would say “Be an agent of change.”
According to DeWitt, the best band ever is the Dave Matthews Band, while if she were a rapper her name would be D3.
One cause that she already supports is St. Jude’s and if she were independently wealthy, DeWitt said she would be found doing more charity work.
If she could have any super power, DeWitt would want to have the ability fly and the talent she would most like to have is the ability to sing.
January is DeWitt’s worst month of the year because of bad weather for driving. Tuesday is her best day of the week.
She has moved a total of six times in her life, but says that where she is now is the best place she has ever lived.
DeWitt’s pet peeve is people who chew loudly, and the household chore she detests the most is putting away the laundry. Other drivers annoy her the most when they text and drive at the same time.
DeWitt’s first official job was working at Cinema 356 while she was in high school. Later, while in college at Clarion, she worked at Dunham’s and Shadyside Day Camp.
One lesson that her parents taught her that she won’t forget is to always respect her parents and elders.
Currently she is embracing the small things and her future plans are to continue growing both professionally and personally.
A few more DeWitt facts:
- She has a phobia of snakes and, consequently, has never wanted a snake for a pet.
- Football is her favorite sport to watch.
- She enjoys shopping at Target.
- If she could switch places with anyone for a day, it would be her brother Damian Davies.
- When asked about her siblings, she said she has “One MUCH older brother and an older sister. I am the baby.”
- Her greatest achievement is being both a teacher and a parent.
- She says the best smell in the world is warm vanilla.
- She admits that she will lie to spare someone’s feelings.
- She couldn’t live without air conditioning.
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