Amanda Norton

“The way you make an omelet reveals your character” – Anthony Bourdain

With Lo-Fi cohort member Amanda Norton, a Data Science graduate student at New College of Florida and experienced organizer of local political campaigns, it may not be immediately apparent where the ‘arts’ connection lies. However, when she isn’t doing coursework, canvassing, or serving as an advocate for human rights, Norton enjoys poetry.

“The main poets I read are feminists,” Norton said. “This area of poetry is helping me write my own poetry and to understand my feelings and experiences.”

Norton’s inspiration in life is her mother, whom she admires for her work ethic and resilience, and her artistic inspiration is activist and writer Audre Lorde.

“[She] is the first poet I read that used poetry as a way to communicate against injustices specifically racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia,” Norton said. “She helped me understand that poetry is something I can seriously pursue, and even if my poems are bad, I keep writing and reading poetry.”

In her spare time, Norton is also exploring photography.

“I am amateur photographer,” Norton said. “I’m still trying to figure out what makes for a good photo.”

Norton applied for the Lo-Fi program to gain confidence in teaching English and to do it in a fun and creative way.

“I think a great way to teach English effectively is to allow students to play with the language and to make it their own,” Norton said. “The best way to do this is through creative means as they can use the language to create things.”

Norton can be connected with on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/amanda.norton.376/ and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-norton-07641518a/.

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The Lo-Fi Language Learning Arts ‘n EFL program is made possible by BridgeTEFL, Partners of the Americas, and the U.S. Department of State.