English: Darcie Flansburg
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Darcie Flansburg, one of the newest advisors of Bosphorus Chronicle and a new member of the English Department, to Robert College. In a very interesting and engaging interview, Ms. Flansburg walked us through a career that spans intercontinentally with a passion for rhetoric and journalism.
Ms. Flansburg originally came from California. Early in her career in California, she worked as a staff writer and editorial assistant for a local newspaper, covering a large variety of subjects ranging from courts, police rounds, and arts and music whenever she could. This journalistic background shaped her enthusiasm for rhetoric and accuracy that surfaces whenever she is in an AP Language lesson.
She started her teaching career with high school English in California public schools where she fell in love with the AP Language course and decided to pursue a master's in Rhetoric and Composition. An unexpected opportunity to teach abroad led her to China, where she taught for nearly a decade in international schools (roles in Ningbo and Guangzhou are among her most recent positions). Most recently, she served as Grade 11–12 Secondary Coordinator and Grade Level Leader and taught journalism, IB, and AP Literature and Language courses. When a mutual College Board connection introduced her to our school, she says RC's history and Istanbul's unique charm pulled her here, as she claims, "It just sounded like a really great opportunity. I've always been interested in Istanbul, and that it's the only country that is on two continents, and I just think that's so fascinating that there is that much history here."
Drawing from her time teaching in China and the U.S., Ms. Flansburg notes similarities in academic overambition but appreciates that RC students "are kind of more comfortable speaking their minds." She admires the students' hard work but urges them to remember to enjoy being young: "Things go by so quickly, so I just hope that students find time to have fun and just be teens."
Ms. Flansburg teaches AP Language and Composition, and places rhetoric at the heart of her classroom. She emphasizes the personal backgrounds of students, as teaching should be meaningful to every individual student's experience. "Life is a journey; it's not about one path," Ms. Flansburg states. "I also just hope that what is learned in the class is something that goes beyond tests and academics," she claimed.
As the new Bosphorus Chronicle advisor, having worked in both the newsroom and the classroom, Ms. Flansburg wants journalism at RC to be more than assignments. She sees the Bosphorus Chronicle as a chance for students to practice community-centered reporting and media literacy. With the rise of "citizen journalism" and social media, she says, learning to evaluate sources and prioritize credible information is more important than ever right now.
Ms. Flansburg also has a background in theater, which complements her interest in communication and writing. She would like to be involved with poetry or theater clubs in the future and is excited by these opportunities that will give her more chances to be involved with student extracurriculars.
At her home located on campus, she and her husband have become caregivers to two rescue kittens, Zorlu and Pistachio Toast. Distractions like these have helped them settle into life in Istanbul, even though caring for two kittens is a very time-consuming and complicated job. In Istanbul, she has been enjoying the walkable neighborhoods, Kadıköy's coffee culture–already one of her favorites–and the city's vibrant art scene. Whether she is in an AP Language class, a Bosphorus Chronicle session, or exploring the city, Ms. Flansburg consistently embodies the spirit of a lifelong learner – and because of this reason, we couldn't have been more delighted to welcome her to the RC community.
