With twinkling lights strung along the back wall and students’ work showcased around the classroom, Anna Regula, a new English 9 Honors and AP Language and Composition teacher at the school, hopes to create a cozy atmosphere for her students.
“I want my classroom to feel very warm and inviting for students,” Regula said. “I want them to be able to come in and feel comfortable, especially because in English class, they participate a lot and share their writing which can be intimidating.”
After teaching for a few years in Las Vegas, Regula reunited with her family in San Diego, where she was raised. In Las Vegas, Regula taught a variety of grade levels, including both high school and middle school.
“It was so nice to come back here and teach because this is where I grew up,” Regula said.
Regula, who is bilingual, went to Gonzaga University, where she studied English and Spanish and found her passion for teaching.
“I went into teaching after college because I really loved working with students in college,” Regula said. “I did an internship working with high school students, and that was very impactful to me.”
Although it is her first year at the school, Regula carries over her own teaching style from her previous experiences. This foundation allows her to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive.
“Previous experiences have helped me a lot because I have learned the most important part of teaching is building relationships with my students, making sure they feel safe and comfortable because that is how they learn best,” Regula said. “I am not very lecture-based, just because with my experience, I’ve seen [that] when students are working in small groups or pairs and interacting with each other, they usually seem to be most engaged and… having a good time.”
Regula’s approach to teaching recognizes the importance of balancing humor and seriousness in her classroom. This balance helps foster a supportive environment for her students.
“Sometimes I am a bit funny in class, but sometimes I can be more serious depending on the activity we are doing,” Regula said. “The most important thing for me is that my students know they can come to me if they are ever struggling with something and that my students feel respected.”
Students have also expressed interest in Regula’s teaching style.
“I really like her classroom style, and her classroom is very inviting,” Samantha Feinerg, a student in Regula’s English 9 Honors class, said. “Her teaching style is really great.”
Regula gains a sense of fulfillment in watching her students improve.
“I have my students doing a lot of writing, even my ninth graders, because I want to prepare them to become really strong writers in college,” Regula said.
Regula has many interests outside of school, and she often shares them with her students.
“I am a huge Taylor Swift fan, so I make my kids listen to a lot of Taylor Swift,” Regula said. “I’m kind of a cat lady, I really love cats. I own a cat named Cleo, who is seven years old. She is a unique breed because she’s kind of like a dog. My students hear about her all the time.”
In her free time, Regula loves reading fiction and mystery novels. She also watches a lot of sports and used to play soccer, lacrosse and basketball.
“I used to play Torrey Pines for [Point Loma High School], in basketball and soccer,” Regula said.
Through her various interests, Regula is able to connect with her students on multiple levels.
“Although it’s very difficult, it’s incredibly rewarding to work with kids,” Regula said. “My experience at Torrey Pines has been great so far. The students are always really engaged, and I love working with ninth and eleventh graders because they have very different personalities. It is really fun having a balance between those two grade levels.”
