Behind the classroom’s major makeover is Kelly Savio, an enthusiastic new English teacher and journalism co-adviser at Foothill.

“It’s been amazing. Everyone has been welcoming,” Savio said of Foothill.

Before becoming a teacher, Savio worked as a journalist. She enjoyed journalism because it gave her a “free pass” to learn about various people and share her newly acquired knowledge with the public.

“I [was able] to talk to everyone – from a man who was two ships away from the USS Arizona when Pearl Harbor was bombed, to members of Congress, to the local school board president. It was hard work, all my mistakes were out there for the public to see, but I loved talking to people and seeing what they had to say,” she said in an email.

After her career as a journalist, Savio took a job teaching English as a second language in Santa Barbara. She liked this job because of the “inspiring bravery” her immigrant students showed moving in to the United States, and because she enjoys learning about different cultures.

“Everyday was exciting. It made me proud to be able to help them and make their lives easier. [It was] one of the best things I’ve ever done,” she said.

A couple years after teaching English in Santa Barbara, Savio went on to visit 25 countries and teach English as a second language in Germany.

Savio said that her favorite part about teaching English is encountering new perspectives while teaching the subject.

“I get excited when students tell me something about a book I’ve read ten different times,” she said.

Savio’s students like the energy she brings to the classroom.

“She’s super outgoing,” said sophomore Sarah Blackwell.

“She keeps the class interesting,” sophomore Ian Baldwin said.

When she’s not teaching, Savio enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

She is huge fan of singer Neil Diamond, and even put a personal quote on her teacher website that says, “Neil Diamond is forever.” Savio said that if she and Neil met they would immediately become “best friends.”

This year, she is most looking forward to learning from her students.

“I think [my students] are interesting people and they have things to say… I want to hear them,” she said.