Molly Fox '26
With so many new teachers being added to the staff, there is so little time to get to know everyone. But slowly, we will learn them one by one. This month, we interviewed Ms. Laura Vierling to get to know more about the new ninth and tenth grade honors English teacher.
What schools did you go to?
I went to Saint Joseph Hill for high school, Saint John’s for my undergraduate, First Kean University for my masters degree in social work, and Georgian Court University for a masters in education.
Tell me about your first career?
I started as a social worker at 23 with my first job in the emergency department in Bayonne Hospital. Then I worked in the Staten Island University Hospital with open heart surgery, still as a social worker. I would see patients before and after they go through surgery.
Once they come out of surgery, I would work with their family and see if they needed anything at home, as well as what services they would need going forward. Supporting the families with the surgeries that didn’t go well was a big part of my job, too. I mainly focused on emergency departments. With social work, you need to work do a lot of group counseling with families to make sure everyone is getting what they need.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, which I would love to do with 10H. My favorite genre is Gothic Romances.
How do you feel about teaching at Fontbonne so far?
Well this is my first teaching job. Before this I was student teaching at a catholic school in New Jersey which I absolutely loved. I love working at Fontbonne. I love my girls, even though they drive me crazy, it’s exciting. I love my subject. The big challenge is that everything is new. The teachers are welcoming and supportive, though, and administrators are very understanding.
What inspired you to switch careers?
I originally switched careers for my son. I went to graduate school for education because I wanted to have job where I would be home more. With social work and working in a hospital there are a lot of hours and change, but when I was going to school, I got to be home with him a lot more. Having a younger son makes me very empathetic towards my students because I understand what they are going through as a mom.
What does your life look like outside of teaching?
My sons name is Vin, he is eight years old. I have been married for ten years. Me and my husband actually met online and I drove from New Jersey to Brooklyn just to meet him.
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