Bethany Seal is an English teacher at West Harrison High School in Gulfport, MS, and a Southern Region NEHS Advisory Council Member. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has been the English Department Chairperson since 2019, and has advised her school’s chapter of National English Honor Society since 2020. Aside from teaching, Bethany loves the sun, warm weather, and the beach, but her favorite hobby is spending time with her three (wild) yellow Labrador Retrievers. She also loves reading (standard English teacher answer!), trying out different brunch spots, traveling, and attending Southern Miss Athletics events.
- I chose to become an English Major because I love reading and writing!
- My favorite part of being an English Major is connecting with people over a shared love of literature.
- The last book I read was All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers.
- My favorite book is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
- A book character I identify with is Janie from Their Eyes Were Watching God! She’s fierce, independent, and isn’t worried what other people think about her.
- The last book I bought was Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, but I have not yet read it.
- My favorite book to movie adaptation is The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
- I’m more of a reader than a writer.
- My favorite style of writing is: I really have developed an appreciation for a lot of different writing styles, but I really unashamedly love YA!
- My go-to children’s book is Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
- My favorite childhood memory is playing with my yellow lab, Louie! He loved to swim, climb into our secret “fort” and read books with me.
- Growing up, I was sure I would be: I was never really sure, to be honest–in fact, I’m still not 100% sure I know what I want to be when I grow up.
- My first job was babysitting.
- My dream job is: Is there a job where you can lay in the sun, read books, and play with dogs?
- I like to spend my free time hanging out with my 3 dogs, reading, going to Southern Miss sporting events, and spending time in the sun.
- The destination at the top of my travel bucket list is Australia.
- The literary place I’d most like to visit is The Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
- If I could move anywhere in the world, I’d live directly on the beach somewhere.
My English 2 team and I received a Fund for Teachers grant—one of our stops was in Boston, where we saw this awesome Poe statue. - If I was stranded on a desert island, the three things I would bring with me are do my 3 dogs count? I’d bring them!
- The one song I could listen to on repeat is: Anything by Britney Spears—trust me . . . I know. . . .
- The best gift I ever received was my first puppy, Louie! He was a reward for getting good grades one year from my parents!
- The best gift I’ve ever given is: I’m honestly not sure.
- If you find me in the kitchen, I’m typically whipping up: Anything—I love to cook! Baking has always been my favorite, though.
- If I could try any food from a book or series, it would be Willy Wonka’s candy from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.
- The author (dead or alive) I’d most like to spend a day with is Edgar Allan Poe, 100%! I have so many questions!
