While some teachers discover their love for teaching later in life, Dr. Dallett’s passion began in childhood when she lined up her dolls and taught them. After spending her early childhood in England, she moved to the Philadelphia area at the age of eight. Growing up in a family with a blend of British and American cultural influences, she developed a deep love for English literature. This passion prompted her to study English at Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree and Ph.D.
During her Ph.D. studies, she learned that teachers shouldn’t overwhelm their students with excessive comments. Leaving half a dozen meaningful comments is more beneficial because students are more likely to remember them when they write their next paper.
Dr. Dallett doesn’t only teach writing; she’s also an author of the novels The Absinthe Association and the forthcoming See What You Know. The process of writing influences how she teaches creative writing, for example, using setting details to convey a scene’s mood.
As an English teacher in the AI Era, when generative AI could summarize a book or compose an analytical essay in seconds, Dr. Dallett emphasizes that reading original works fosters the development of aesthetic appreciation and critical thinking skills. She quoted a boss at a Manhattan consulting firm who told her that recent hires from the Ivy League are struggling with critical and creative thinking.
When teaching literature classics, Dr. Dallett typically provides a little cultural background to enhance students’ understanding; however, she believes that the works are themselves windows into the culture that created them. When it comes to reading for pleasure, Dr. Dallett strongly encourages students to follow their own interests, as interest is the dominant factor that drives people to continue reading. Her personal recommendations are, for students who liked The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night by the same author, and for all teenagers, Maggie O’Farrell’s I Am, I Am, I Am, which her fourth formers have liked.
Dr. Dallett’s story with Kent School began 30 years ago. On a visit to Kent, she met Mr. Hinman at a dinner, where they had “instant chemistry.” Mr. Hinman later proposed to her at Numeral Rock, and they were married at the Kent School chapel. After the death of their baby daughter Grace, they adopted two children from Korea, Charlotte and George, who later attended Kent School. Dr. Dallett’s life is deeply tied to the campus, devoting most of her time to the students and the community. When she takes a break, you can see her and Mr. Hinman sailing in Maine.
Ultimately, Dr. Dallett wants to emphasize the importance of perseverance. “View writing as a lifelong project,” she said, “my own writing improved in grad school. “It’s never too late to begin. Keep writing.”
