Prior to entering the classroom, Patrice Norris was the owner of a custom picture framing business and small art gallery.

Mrs. Norris said, “I attended Vanderbilt University and graduated with a teaching degree from the Peabody College of Vanderbilt. I also spent one semester at The University of Copenhagen in Denmark and a summer doing graduate work on Shakespeare as part of a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant at Georgetown University in Washington.”

She is enthusiastic about literature and creativity, allowing her students to express their individualism and learn from each other.

“I am very passionate about literature and that definitely affects my teaching style. I tend to be a bit dramatic and animated while lecturing and talking about our readings. Class discussion is very important to me. I love listening as my students explore the literature. I try to ask the ‘essential’ question that will initiate discussion. I have been very pleased through the years by the enthusiastic participation of my AP Literature students in small group and whole class discussion. I want them to develop an individual ‘voice’ and style in their writing and I want them to become comfortable and poised while articulating their ideas to their classmates. I also like to add a creative element to our studies. I try to incorporate projects that allow for visual or audio expressions of the symbolism and major thematic ideas in the literature,” Mrs. Norris said.

What she hopes for her students is that they will develop a genuine love and appreciation for literature and be able to identify a well-written work.

Mrs. Norris said, “I want my students to come to an appreciation of the wide range of excellent literature. I want them to embrace the challenge of exploring and coming to an understanding of difficult and complex works. I want them to develop a discerning eye for a well crafted story, novel, poem, or play. Most of all I want them to love reading and to continue to read everything long after they leave my class.”

University/College(s) Attended: Vanderbilt University; Peabody College; University of Copenhagen in Denmark; Georgetown University; Trevecca University
Highest Degree Earned: Master's Degree
Other Significant Work Experience/Training: acting/directing theater; owner of custom picture frame shop and art gallery (7 years)