English Professor Comes Home

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   The English Department at the University of Arkansas at Monticello appointed a new assistant professor of English.

Photo by Danielle Thomas

Workin' Hard — Sarah Bloom returned to UAM after attending graduate school in Fairfax, Va.

   Sarah Bloom grew up in Warren, Ark. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from UAM. She went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

   "I went to George Mason because I wanted to major in creative writing and poetry. Carolyn Forche, a poet, taught at George Mason and I wanted to study with her," Bloom said.

   While in graduate school at George Mason University, Bloom taught as an adjunct at colleges surrounding the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia areas. She taught at Mary Mount University, Mt. Vernon College for women, Montgomery College and North Virginia Community College.

   Once Bloom graduated from George Mason University in 1995, she worked for an accrediting agency while continuing to teach some English courses on the side.

   Bloom said she was glad to be back in Arkansas.

   "All of my family is down here (in Arkansas)," she said. "My Dad lives in Warren with my 10-year-old sister. My other sister, her family and my Mom live in Little Rock, and my Grandparents live in Monticello.”

   This is Bloom’s first year teaching at UAM.

   "I like (teaching) very much; I like my students," Bloom said. "I teach Comp and Fundamentals, so most of my students are freshmen."

   Mark Spencer, dean of the school of Arts and Humanities, said the school appreciates Bloom.

   "We're very glad to have her on the faculty," he said. "She has extensive teaching experience and a Master of Fine Arts degree from George Mason University, a very prestigious university in Virginia. She will be particularly sensitive to and aware of the perspectives and needs of our students because she is herself, a graduate of UAM."

   Bloom said her favorite class to teach is ESL (English as a Second Language).
      "I had students in that class from all over the world," she said. "At the end of every semester, the class would have a party, and each student would bring food from their country. I had food from Ethiopia, Salvador, Iraq and other countries. I had lots of Asian students, mostly Vietnamese. They really liked the parties. They had music, decorations and food."

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