FEATURE

Featured teacher: Elise Thompson

Elise Thompson, 26, WTMC Science instructor and BASE adviser of Flushing, MI. Michael Mishler | Washtenaw Voice

BY MICHAEL MISHLER

Contributor

Elise Thompson, 26, is a science instructor and BASE adviser at Washtenaw Technical Middle

College.

Q: What’s your favorite movie and why?

A: Any heist movie. It’s interesting to see how they think. It’s so intriguing, Like “Ocean’s 11, 12

and 13.”

Q: What famous figure, living or dead, would you want to meet?

A: Heath Ledger. He’s such an iconic figure, you know?

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

A: New Zealand. I’ve heard the scenery is gorgeous and they’ve got good hiking and trekking. I’m outdoorsy so I like hiking. Also, they filmed “Lord of the Rings” there.

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

A: Don’t stress over school and grades so much. Just make sure you focus on understanding the material and getting help early. Also, don’t forget to take a break from school and have fun sometimes.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant and why?

A: Tomukun in Ann Arbor. I’m a vegetarian, so I like their noodle soups. Plus, their service is really good.

Q: What is the most rewarding experience of your life so far?

A: I was captain of my college volleyball team. We went to Nationals two years in a row and won the Regional Championships in 2007. I think being champion of anything is rewarding.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: Interacting with my students, outside of class, actually. I enjoy getting to know the people that have the motivation and dedication to come to a school such as WTMC.

Q: Where is your favorite place to travel to?

A: The mountains out west, since I like to hike and camp. I really like Wind River Range in Wyoming. I actually did an 80-day backpack trip there and I can’t wait to go back.

Q: What do you do when you’re not teaching over the summer?

A: I travel out west. This summer I’m trying to get to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.

Q: What’s the scariest thing you’ve seen on the news recently?

A: The misconceptions around gun control. There’s not a lot of data on how people actually feel about it, just a lot of politics. It’s both interesting and scary to me that safety is still controversial.