Faculty of the Week: Nova Seals

By  SELASIE AMEMASOR, MARYN BOWMAN, KAYLEE GONG, OWEN LEE, HANNA WEI, EMI  SOUTHGATE , MEGHAN TATE ZEE and JULIA ZHOU

“Fly, go forth, be free, make good decisions” is a quote that Dr. Nova Seals uses to end every English class. Seals has been teaching at the Academy for three years now, and in that time has worn a variety of hats: she teaches in the English department, coaches girls’ crew, and is the dorm head of Merrill Hall. Although it’s not an easy task playing a role in so many sectors of the Exeter community, Seals has made an impact on both her colleagues and students in all the spaces she steps foot in.

When asked about her inspiration for becoming a teacher, Seals referenced a high-school philosophy and English teacher, Lucia Haieilchuk: “She was tremendously inspirational for me as an educator. Before I taught English, I wanted to be a philosophy teacher, because of her influence. I try to live up to the example that she set every day,” 

Seals has absolutely lived up to this caliber. “Doc Seals’s English class was the best English class I’ve ever taken,” senior Bea Prairie said. “She truly wants her students to succeed, and is always willing to work with you to make that happen,”

As a coach for girls’ crew, Seals is constantly working with her team to encourage them and give them as much support as they need to succeed. Lower Sophie Morrow said, “I’ve rowed with Doc Seals as a coach last spring and this fall, and even though I’d never rowed before, she’s given me a ton of feedback that’s always to the point. Her critiques and the energy she brings to crew practice has definitely helped me become a better rower.” 

Not only does Seals work hard to ensure the success of her pupils in Phillips Hall and on the water, but she’s also worked tirelessly to benefit the wellness of the students under her care in Merrill Hall. Just recently, since coming back from renovation, Merrill has once again begun housing students, and its repair is still ongoing. Nevertheless, Doc Seals has been making significant efforts in getting life for Merrill residents up and running—and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Anika Kichadia, a lower in Merrill, said, “I’m not loving the fact that we don’t have (drinking) water at the moment, but I know Doc Seals is working really hard to get there.”

Doc Seals herself takes pride in all the ways she’s touched the lives of the students she shares a residential space with. “I love being a dorm head because I have that much more involvement in making the feeling of home happen for students. As an educator here at a boarding school, my goal is for students to feel like they have a home away from home,” she said.

Beyond her goals as a dorm head, Doc Seals touched on her aims as a teacher: “My goal in teaching is to encourage learning and a love of reading and writing. My hope is for students in my class to develop a passion for all three of those things: learning, reading, reading.”

Academically, Seals loves Harkness, reading, and writing. However, in her free time, her passions include fiber art, writing papers, and researching various topics. Seals is an inspiration to students, teaching them to love the art of learning every day.  

It is not uncommon that students taking her class will be impacted in various ways. Her classes are known for having deep, meaningful Harkness discussions and her choice of text in class also has a great effect on students. Prairie reflected, “Doc Seals’s English class was the best English class I’ve ever taken. She picks books that are phenomenal for Harkess and encourages incredibly deep discussions.” 

Seals’s unique organizational methods are also commended, as her habits play a critical role in the success of her classroom environment. “Doc Seals encourages quieter students to speak and more frequent participants to carefully construct their thoughts before sharing them,” Prairie recalled. Her system balances a healthy classroom dynamic, allowing students to express themselves freely while developing critical thinking skills.

Seals has made a significant impact in the English Department, particularly through her organized teaching style. Fellow Instructor in Englsih David Rhee noted, “She is incredibly organized,” and explained that he has incorporated many of her methods into his own classroom, including her approach to Harkness discussions. Working alongside Seals has been a supportive experience for Rhee, who added that they “got to experience a lot of the same things” as they began their teaching careers together, which fostered a strong sense of camaraderie.

In the past few years of working at the Academy, Nova Seals has been an inspiration to her students, crew members, and co-workers. She is always trying to encourage the community around her to love learning and to pursue their passions.