With 18 years of teaching experience and a lifelong passion for education, Sharon High School’s only Latin teacher displays creativity and enthusiasm for her work. From a young age, Ms. McCullough’s passion shaped her path, and today, she inspires the next generation of scholars.

McCullough began her journey when she enrolled at the Boston Latin School, where she initially saw herself pursuing a career in mathematics. She took Latin, a six-year requirement, to fulfill her course prerequisites, and enjoyed learning the foundations of grammar, reading, and writing. McCullough later enrolled at Boston College and continued to pursue a future as a math teacher. However, when she realized her journey with Latin was incomplete, she switched gears to become a Latin teacher. 

McCullough decided to join SHS because it already had a “strong, substantial program with four levels,” adding, “I liked that I could continue to build the program and be the face of the program.” The SHS Latin course focuses on cultural history, something that isn’t common in other language programs. “Latin is unique,” McCullough said, “focusing not on speaking or listening, because the main goal is not to go to another country to communicate.” She added that the curriculum is focused on understanding grammar, syntax, and how words fit together. 

Recently, McCullough explained, heightened student interest in Latin has caused rapid student enrollment in next year’s program. Even with her classes filling up, she is confident that all the students who signed up will have the opportunity to take the course. 

The SHS Latin program has evolved since it was first introduced: McCullough shared that, while the program was initially guided by textbooks and assessments, it developed over the years into a customized course that promotes students’ use of digital resources to make the class more interesting and unique. McCullough’s dedicated development of this curriculum proves that Latin is more than memorization––it’s a gateway to critical thinking and cultural awareness.

Ms. McCullough’s mission is to guide and encourage others on their Latin journey. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our local Latin expert in Room 2408 or via email at [email protected].