From North Shore to Southwest: Alex Moore '04

[This story is part of an occasional series about Shore graduates who teach.]

Shore alumna Alexandra (Alex) Moore '04 somehow found her own place in the tiny ski resort town of Red River, off-season population: 400. After following her high school sweetheart, now husband, Linton Judycki, to the small town in northern New Mexico, Moore reflects “I never thought I would be a teacher as I studied Communications and Marketing in college. However, my decision to move to New Mexico brought some career challenges, and I found myself falling in love with a career I never would have imagined. I have a great job! I get to hang out with six and seven year olds all day and teach them how to read.”

 

As an outdoor enthusiast, Moore says, “I spend my non-working days skiing, biking, hiking, rock climbing, running, golfing, and just enjoying all that the mountains bring us. I truly love being outside and active, as does my husband.” Although skiing has always been a passion in her life, and she loves living at the base of a ski resort, Moore knew she did not want to be a ski instructor at the Red River Ski Resort, owned by her husband and his family.

 

As to how she started her teaching career, Moore says, “I ended up becoming friends with a local teacher, and she signed me up for substitute teaching. I enjoyed my days at the local elementary school, and a position opened up for a full time teaching job the following school year. I am teaching at the moment, but I am also studying for my Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.”

 

Moore has been teaching a combined first and second grade class for the past two years at the only school in the mile-long town, the Red River Valley Charter School. Every day, Moore arrives to school around 7:00 a.m. She shares, “I prepare the classroom for my students to begin their day at 8:00 on a positive note. I have a daily morning message on the board for the students to read, and then they begin reading or reviewing work.” Sadly, notes Moore, “We do not have specials, because our budget for art, library, physical education, and music is extremely limited. The students at the school have physical education only one day per week for one hour and forty-five minutes. We occasionally have a few volunteer parents who come in to organize art projects during the year, as well as take the students to the library.”

 

Her morning focus begins with writing, language arts, and the literacy centers. Often, she involves her young charges in hands-on learning using tactile letters and sight word sensory bottles. She continues, “I have so much fun teaching the students all of their short and long vowels sounds. It is amazing when December hits in first grade and all of a sudden the student’s eyes see the world in a whole new light. Every day brings joy to my heart when I hear a student say, ‘I can read, Mrs. Judycki.’”

Following lunch break and a thirty-minute recess period, Moore’s afternoons are filled with mathematics, read-a-loud sessions, and either history or science lessons. To keep her students energized during the eight-hour day, Moore notes, “I really try to have the students up and moving during the day. I often have ‘brain breaks’ using yoga and Zumba videos that last 10-15 minutes. I try to extend the yoga lessons during non-physical education days, because I find exercise really helps keep the students focused and interested.”

 

Most important to Moore is providing a very safe and positive environment for her students. She states, “A lot of the students come from a poverty-stricken Hispanic town that is twenty minutes down the canyon from Red River.” She feels that her students have taught her so much about herself and about life. “The children who come from down the canyon often go home to violent living situations where drugs and alcohol play a daily role, which means their best part of their day is with me at school. The children are so important to me, and it brightens my day to be able to give back to them.” Charter schools receive very little funding from the state, and Moore has spent significant amounts from her own paycheck just so she can provide her students with a math and reading curriculum.

 

Reflecting on her days at Shore, Moore fully realizes, now more than ever, that she learned so much and was truly privileged. She states, “The education I received at Shore is unmatched, in my opinion, by any Kindergarten to Grade 9program in the country. The state-of-the-art facilities are better than most high schools let alone elementary schools. The organization skills that Shore teaches really did set me up for success in all academic and career areas. The academics at Shore challenged me more than at college!” She adds, “I am so grateful my parents sent me to Shore, and all of the amazing opportunities I had while attending. From varsity sports teams to the class trips, the entire Shore experience is incredible.” Moore fondly remembers Mr. Griffin with his calm demeanor and unconditional support throughout her years at Shore. “He really shows how important and valuable teacher to student or administrator to student relationships are for the growth of the student.” Although many teachers have impacted Moore’s life, she fondly recalls these few: Mrs. Pisanelli for always cheering her on; Mrs. Parkhurst who has offered advice with her teaching career; and Ms. Lowery for her constant support, both personally and professionally.

 

She’s happy to share that she still keeps in touch with a few friends from Shore, such as one of her closest friends, Sarah Dick Thompson. When Moore married on the top of Telluride Ski Resort in March 2014, she was surrounded by family and friends, including her brother, Benjamin Moore, Sarah Dick Thompson, Christopher Dick, Morgan Elbot, and the parents of Henrik and Thomas Lampert. It’s always exciting when she meets up with other Shore alums, such as Kelsey Morris, Annie Brown, Katherine Lodge, and Trilliam Santin, at celebrations and gatherings.

Moore is extremely grateful for the wonderful people and experiences she has in her life and relishes time spent with family and friends whenever she returns for visits to the North Shore.