Faculty in Focus - Elizabeth Angney, Middle School Humanities Teacher
The Graded Gazette
Oscar Wilde once wrote that “history is merely gossip.” For Middle School Teacher Elizabeth "Liz" Angney, it’s “the gossip of humankind.”
Liz fell in love with history in high school, inspired by a charismatic teacher who transformed dry textbooks into a captivating exploration of the past. She went on to obtain a BA in history from Georgetown University, where she focused on the inequities of South Africa's educational system during the apartheid era. She then earned a master’s in curriculum development in social studies education from the University of Virginia. Since then, Liz has shared her enthusiasm for history with middle and high school students in the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
In this issue of The Graded Gazette, Liz reveals her favorite historical figure, shares her top three podcast recommendations, and discusses her passion for open-water swimming.
You focused on European and African history at Georgetown. What drew you to these areas?
I grew interested in both regions thanks to a few amazing teachers. In 10th grade, Mrs. McDonald brought history alive for me for the first time. Until then, the subject was about memorizing dates and coloring in maps—nothing very exciting. But that year, we read primary sources, debated the best form of government from the perspective of Enlightenment philosophers, re-enacted the Congress of Vienna, explored Cleveland’s architectural heritage, and compared Soviet and American textbooks written during the Cold War era. It was as if a new world had opened up to me. Her class inspired me to pursue European history at Georgetown University.
During my sophomore year at Georgetown, I enrolled in a survey course about African history with Professor McKittrick. She was engaging and knowledgeable and provided a stark contrast to what I had been exposed to about Africa in middle and high school. For most of my education, African history had been ignored, or the continent was reduced to one monolithic region and presented as an afterthought. However, in this course, I was able to explore the tremendous diversity and rich history of the African continent. Two of my favorite courses at Georgetown were Religions of the African Diaspora and A Comparative History of the US and South Africa. I ended up writing my senior thesis about education in South Africa. My research focused on the Woodmead School, a progressive, private, nonracial institution founded in Johannesburg in 1970. I explored how the school defied Apartheid’s educational and social structures and investigated why the Apartheid government allowed this groundbreaking school to remain open until 1998.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Queen Elizabeth I (for whom I was named) has always fascinated me. She was a skilled politician and diplomat and a patron of the arts. Her reign symbolizes resilience, wisdom, and the extraordinary influence women can wield in leadership.
How do you make history and literature come alive in the classroom?
At the start of every school year, I tell my students to think about history as “the gossip of humankind.” This is not meant to undermine or belittle the discipline but to make it relatable and accessible. If students can think about history as “gossip,” they can empathize with the individuals who shaped and experienced historical events. They learn that the past is a collection of human experiences we can relate to and learn from.
In many ways, history is a long series of “he said, she said” scenarios. Once students understand this, they can begin to ask the same questions that historians might ask: “Why do we have differing accounts of the same event?” “Can we trust this source?” “Whose voice is missing, and why don’t we have that perspective?” They can also start to see that even if we are studying people who lived far away and long ago, we have more similarities than differences.
If you were to visit my classroom on any given day, you would see lively debates, student-led discussions, independent research, role-playing, or the incorporation of film, art, and current events.
Liz in her classroom at Graded.
You’ve taught in the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Costa Rica. Tell us about your experience living and teaching in these countries.
New York City was incredibly fast-paced, and we had so many cultural and historical highlights at our fingertips; we could walk to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Neue Gallery, or the Cooper Hewitt Museum, to name a few. The students and faculty at The Nightingale-Bamford School, where I worked, were all used to that pace and access, so the atmosphere of teaching and learning was challenging and sometimes quite competitive but very rewarding. I particularly enjoyed teaching at an all-girls school and forging relationships with my students and mentees. It’s fascinating to see how people learn in different environments.
My first overseas job was in Trinidad and Tobago. The country has incredibly vibrant culture and music, fascinating history, diverse people, and delicious food, reflecting the convergence of African, Indian, Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous populations. My experience there was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I feel fortunate to have had access to outdoor space and a supportive environment during such a challenging time for teachers, students, and administrators.
Costa Rica embodies the “Pura Vida” philosophy, a relaxed approach to life no matter the circumstances. The school I taught at prioritizes time spent outdoors and integrates lots of class excursions into its curriculum. I had easy access to nature and some of the most beautiful places on earth. It’s definitely somewhere I will go back to visit!
One of your special interests is open-water swimming. What got you hooked, and where’s the most incredible place you’ve swum?
I started open-water swimming at Camp Onaway in New Hampshire, where I spent 14 summers as a camper, aide, counselor, and assistant director. One of the highlights of the summer was swimming the width (1.5 miles) or length (7 miles) of Newfound Lake.
After camp, I wanted to find a way to keep swimming in the open water. After a lot of research, I discovered a company that organizes swimming holidays worldwide. I signed up for a weeklong swim trip along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast—probably the most incredible place I have swum. Since then, I have participated in two other organized trips in Greece and competed in open water races in New York, Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada, Costa Rica, and now Brazil!
You’ve traveled to more than 30 countries! What trips stand out, and where are you dreaming of going next?
I traveled to Iran with a group of educators in 2004. Journeying to Iran, a country that many Americans would never dream of visiting, wearing hijab, visiting ancient Persian sites, and talking to Iranians was nothing short of an eye-opening experience.
The Iranian people were exceptionally warm and gracious and so excited to meet Americans. It was incredible to experience a country that would be almost impossible to travel to now. I am so grateful to be able to share personal photos and memories with my students when we study the Iranian Revolution and read Persepolis in Grade 8 Social Studies.
My next adventure will be an open-water swim trip in the Galapagos Islands in January 2025!
American and Iranian teachers in Iran.
Liz at the Gate of All Nations in Persepolis.
As an avid podcast listener, what are your top three recommendations?
I listen to The Daily almost every day. It offers context and in-depth analysis of major events and issues shaping the world.
I also enjoy Throughline, which explores the historical context behind current events. It connects the past to the present to help listeners better understand today's world.
Finally, I recently added Wiser Than Me to my rotation. Julia Louis Dreyfus interviews older, accomplished women from a variety of fields. The podcast blends humor and reflection, and by the end of each episode, I feel both entertained and enlightened.
What does a perfect São Paulo Sunday entail?
Visiting a farmer’s market or street fair with friends, walking around Parque Burle Marx, and having a restorative dinner before another week begins!