Ms. U: Vistamar’s Resident Shakespeare Enthusiast

Have you ever wondered how Morning Meeting is organized? Who is behind the weekly event that’s filled with lights, music, speeches, multimedia, and more? Or, do you need to recall a random fact about the great William Shakespeare? Well, I’d like to introduce you to the spearhead of Vistamar’s Morning Meeting who does not get enough recognition. Meet Ms. Ukolowicz!

Ms. Ukolowicz (but everyone calls her Ms. U) is a part of Vistamar’s Humanities faculty, teaching American Literature and AP English Literature. Ms. U is arguably William Shakespeare’s BIGGEST fan. If you walk into the shrine, I mean classroom 105, you might see a Shakespearean ‘easter egg’ or two. It’s safe to say Ms. U dabbles in reading, to say the least. I asked Ms. U what her favorite Shakespearean work and moment is and with ease responded, “Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1 where Hamlet confronts his mortality and holds the skull of someone he once knew as a child.” I couldn’t get more information because AP Lit is in our Hamlet unit and Ms. U is a firm believer in #NoSpoilers.

Ms. U also organizes and leads Morning Meeting and Vistacrew alongside Mr. Gallegos. Ms. U is the lady in fabulous outfits, almost always paired with a classic cardigan, who ensures Morning Meeting runs smoothly and makes sure everyone is ready to share their soul. Side note: Ms. U would like me to remind readers to send slides by 5 pm the night before ;). 

Born in Akron, Ohio, Ms. U moved from Ohio to Los Angeles and studied English and Communications at UCLA. Ms. U has always loved to read and prides herself on inspiring others through the art of literature. This is why, after graduating from UCLA, Ms. U received her Masters degree in Education and English teaching credential from Pepperdine University. Her admiration for literature and English comes from one simple fact. Ms. U loves to read. She claims that her television is “probably only on once a week” because she is always getting lost in a book. She also is a self-proclaimed “theatre nerd” and absolutely loves to look at the literature in theatre.

Ms. U says that her calling to teach came from her “quarter-life crisis” in college. She went to one of her professors, thinking she wanted to pursue a PhD degree. After being told about all of the research and time that goes into pursuing this degree, she realized she would be going farther away from her passion for literature. At her core, Ms. U wants to “talk to people about literature, not research all of it” and her professor told her, “So, you want to be an English teacher?” And, the rest is history.  

Ms. U came to Vistamar in 2021 looking for a unique and welcoming environment. When asked her favorite thing about Vistamar, she responded, “I love the student individuality and how it’s okay to be quirky and different.” Ms. U loves getting to know not just her students, but the Vistamar community at large. Her favorite interactions, however, are in her classroom. Ms. U loves being in a large classroom and having even larger discussions. “I love having discussions around a text. There are so many different and amazing voices and perspectives to be heard!” If she wasn’t teaching English, Ms. U would like to teach an Art History class (preferably alongside Mr. Von Flue. So Mr. Von Flue, if you’re reading this, give the people what they want!)

Outside of the classroom, Ms. U has many hobbies and interests. One thing people may not know about her is she loves the National Park System. She tries to visit as many places as she can as she admires the beauty of the American countryside. When not reading or visiting a National Park, Ms. U can probably be found listening to a podcast and doing some other task. To her, podcasts are “such an accessible way to learn.”

If there’s one thing to take away from this article, it is that Ms. U truly loves teaching and creating a safe environment for everyone. Her teaching philosophy stems from Dr. James Comer who states that “no significant learning can happen without a significant relationship.” Ms. U would like the students at Vistamar to know that they “are capable of working hard and when the world asks them to do so, they will be okay!” So, next time you are in the Humanities Commons, pop into Room 105 to see all of the students who hang out and do their homework in there and say “hello!” Ms. U is ready to greet you with a smiling face and a positive attitude.

Photo Credit: Cliff Williams