Farewell to Mrs. Zubrowski
After 3.5 years at Worcester Academy, Mrs. Amanda Zubrowski is stepping down from her teaching position in the English department and departing the hilltop.
In honor of her tremendous work and dedication over the past few years, The Vigornia editors have decided to write our co-faculty advisor a note of appreciation and gratitude for her time on the hilltop, featuring messages from former students and best wishes for her journey ahead.
————————
Ms. Z’s ninth-grade World Literature I class was full of exciting novels like The Odyssey and controversially-tragic romances (looking at you, Romeo and Juliet). As well, Ms. Zubrowski’s World Lit I course helped many first-year students adjust to a new school environment and create an inclusive and welcoming environment for freshman newcomers.
I am incredibly grateful to have had Ms. Zubrowski as a teacher, with her constant support providing students with guidance and encouragement beyond the classroom. An excellent faculty advisor for The Vigornia and Pillars, alongside her fabulous teaching, superb vibes, and classroom hangout spot, Ms. Zubrowski will be missed by the entire Worcester Academy community, especially the Class of 2025.
————————
Ms. Zubrowski has done so much for every student at Worcester Academy, especially the current senior class. I am personally so grateful and blessed I got to spend all 4 of my high school years with her. She is a cornerstone of our WA community and is known for her fun and energetic classes.
She is one of the few teachers who constantly checks in on students’ mental health and well-being, always acting as a support system for every WA student. Whether I’m having a long, tiring day or dealing with a personal challenge in my life, I can always count on Ms. Zubrowski to lift my spirits and turn my day around.
She is the kindest and most considerate teacher I have ever had, truly caring about her students’ success while challenging us to improve our literacy and analytical skills in her class. I have grown so much in crafting my writing style, and I genuinely owe it all to her.
Ms. Zubrowski is my inspiration. I want to grow up and be like her—treating everyone with empathy, kindness, love, and compassion, no matter who they are or where they come from. She roots for each and every one of us, wanting us to succeed. I know that, in the future, no matter where we all go, we will never feel alone because Ms. Zubrowski will always be proud of how far each of us has come. Thank you, Ms. Zubrowski, for all your hard work and for truly embodying the Core Values of our community.
————————
Not only did I get to have her as a teacher twice in my time at Worcester Academy, but I have been lucky enough to be advised by Ms. Zubrowski within four different groups on campus: Pillars, The Vigornia, Relay for Life, and our Advisory. Within each extracurricular and/or group, she has brought her all. As my advisor she sticks up for me when I need it, helping me at my lowest points academically and being someone I can trust emotionally. Relay for Life and Vigornia, she has been a dedicated club advisor who listens and encourages us to follow our journalistic passions. For the Pillars, she is what the club strives to encapsulate every day: empathetic, advocating, and most of all, supportive.
You may have seen what I wrote at our most recent Assembly for her Teacher of the Week nomination: “Zubrowski has been my favorite teacher and mentor since freshman year. I am now a senior and I can attribute almost every good thing that happened to me here at Worcester Academy to her. Her consistent encouragement and support have carried me through my time at WA. Anyone who has had or has her currently knows how kind her soul is. Worcester Academy has been so lucky to have a teacher as amazing and loved as her.”
This is only half of it.
I can be the truest form of myself in her classroom. I spend most of my time in K07, and while my classmates get up to leave after AP Literature ends, I choose to stay. If a peer forgets their wallet or phone and comes back to get it twenty minutes later, I’m still there. Sometimes, I’m pretty sure my classmates think Ms. Zubrowski is the only person I talk to. By default, the majority of my day is with her. Class, Clubs, Advisory, and obviously when I have to go and get a snack. She probably sees my face 100 times a day but never does she lack kindness.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ms. Zubrowski was out as my advisor for a few months during my sophomore and junior years. My Advisory consists of only a few students, and while we were never required to be in her room during Advisory time (and definitely could have gone to the Student Center or Library), every Tuesday we all sat together in K07, either decorating her room, emailing her funny videos, and participating in Advisory competitions (even when she wasn’t there). Because she created such an important environment for all of us, we became a family. All from different social groups, we came together into the Zubro Advisory every week because she made it our safe space.
There is way too much to describe how much of an impact she has had on the Worcester Academy community, and more specifically the Class of 2025. I can easily say she was the backbone of my experience here and I think many could agree.
————————
My first year in high school I was a terrified freshman who did not know what to expect walking into my World Literature class. Even though I had been at the school for two years prior I was entering a room full of people I would meet for the first time. Right away Mrs. Amanda Theresa Zubrowski made me feel comfortable and welcomed. She created a bond with the students in my class and was always trying to find a way to accommodate the many activities we did as individuals. She made it a goal to attend at least one game or performance that her students were involved in and had a hand-made sign to cheer us on.
When asking her to write my college letter of recommendation she accepted without hesitation and even when talking to my parents spoke highly of me. She has been a major part of how and why my confidence has grown throughout the years, and I can’t thank her enough for believing in me.
Going into my senior year it was a goal of mine to have her again, and I was fortunate enough to achieve this goal. Being able to have her again reminded me of my freshman year, except this time the class was full of my friends. She continued to be kind and understanding towards us, and when I had to leave school due to family issues she made sure that I knew she was a person I could talk to if needed.
While I am sad that she is leaving I am also grateful to have had her play a part in my high school career. I wish her the best of luck and hope she knows she will always play a main role in the Class of 2025.
————————
Mrs. Amanda Zubrowski has been an excellent member of the Worcester Academy community as a teacher, advisor, and support system for students and faculty alike. While we are devastated to see her leave, we wish her all the best in her future endeavors and journey beyond the hilltop. We love you, Ms. Z, thanks for being the best teacher ever!
————————
Mrs. Zubrowski has always been so welcoming to all of her students. There have been times when she has asked me after class how I’m doing, which means so much to me. I am going to miss her so much when she leaves. She has not only left a deep impact on me but on the rest of the WA community!
————————
I had Mrs. Z as a freshman and a senior and I visited her during CCL throughout my sophomore and junior years. She has been and will always be my favorite teacher. She creates a safe space for all students and makes each school day a little easier.