Courtney Marshall

If you ever hear music playing on the walkway around campus, it’s likely coming from the book bag of Courtney Marshall, a new English instructor at the Academy.

Before teaching at Exeter, Marshall’s only time spent on campus was in 2012 when she came to hear Natasha Trethewey read her works of poetry. Marshall had been teaching Trethewey’s poetry at UNH and was very excited to see her in person. A highlight for Marshall upon her visit four years ago was the student body's enthusiasm. Marshall was impressed by the extensive line of Exonians waiting to buy books and get them signed after Trethewey’s reading. “It was like a concert! That was really exciting. I said, ‘Wow, look at everybody going up for poetry!’” Marshall said.

Marshall has been teaching English for 15 years with a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in English. Marshall is certainly not new to the English scene, having sat in many classrooms over the course of her career. However, Marshall claims that sitting with so many “young, brilliant minds” around the Harkness table has reminded her of why she became an English major back in college. In traditional classrooms Marshall held the role of providing cultural context along with framing questions for the literature studied in her courses. With Harkness, Marshall now has the liberty of hearing what new readers have to say about the text.

"She is a joy-bringer. I am in her adult Zumba group and she is always smiling and happy, and I see that spirit in her teaching as well. I hear a lot of laughter coming from her classroom!"

Marshall said that she loves her time so far at Exeter. “Everybody wants to be helpful and friendly. My students are great for getting me up to speed on Exeter lingo and traditions, and I’m grateful for that. I’m blown away by how much everyone cares for one another,” Marshall said.

Chair of the English department Ellen Wolff expressed how fortunate the faculty feel to have Marshall working with them. “She brings deep expertise in an array of authors and texts, a contagious curiosity, a joyful dedication to her students and our community and an upbeat and imaginative approach to all she does,” Wolff said.

English instructor Jane Cadwell agreed with Wolff. She said, “We are fortunate to have such an experienced and devoted teacher join our ranks ... She brings an awesome energy; I have found her to be a positive and joyful presence in and out of Phillips Hall,” she said.

English instructor Alex Meyers said that Marshall brings a “real richness” to Exeter, as she has had varying teaching experiences. “She has the perspective of what it is like in higher education and that can inform how she works with students here,” he said.

Senior Aivant Goyal, a student in her class, described Marshall as very bubbly and positive. “She’s different in the upbeat way she approaches everything she does, making the environment in the classroom really happy,” he said.

Although very new to the Exeter community, Marshall has already expanded her horizons around campus, taking on the adviser role for the Cooking Club as well as teaching Zumba for Be Well Exeter. Marshall cares a lot about body positivity and working with people on developing a healthy body image. She hopes to possibly pursue that work at some point during her time here. When she’s not teaching English, Marshall works as a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor. Marshall will be teaching Introduction to Fitness in the spring and has already been asked to do a Zumba event for a dorm.

English instructor Kelly Flynn said, “She is a joy-bringer. I am in her adult Zumba group and she is always smiling and happy, and I see that spirit in her teaching as well. I hear a lot of laughter coming from her classroom!”

Lower Bella Alvarez described how Marshall seemed to genuinely care about each student. “She’s a very personable teacher, and always asks for our input about how to improve class or how we might want to do something differently.”

English instructor Christina Breen noted that Marshall’s personality really draws people in as she is humble and engaging at the same time.

“I really have enjoyed getting to know her, not simply for her wealth of knowledge about English Lit, but for her passion for Zumba, for prison reform, for pop culture and for her genuine love of knowing people’s stories,” Breen said.