Interview with Kacie Lyn Kocher

By: Bilal Z, Advanced 3

After graduating from a highly selective college, Kacie Lyn Kocher decided to purse a career in education in Morocco. I was eager to know more about her as a teacher and as a person. And to be honest I didn’t meet her until very recently, so I didn’t feel like I could judge her based on that short period of time. However, one thing is sure: this young American female has a unique spirit, sense of adventure, and energy.

I tried to narrow down a massive number of questions to the most fundamental ones:

1. Do you want to go back to your country? (your family, friends…)

One day. My home will always be my home. But for now, I want to experience things, meet new people, and enjoy the world as a citizen of it. Only through some more profound realization or the gaining of a posteriori knowledge will I feel justified in returning home.

2. Do Moroccans make you angry?

Of course—every day.  But the real question should be “Do people make you angry?” In general, people upset me every day, not just here, but everywhere in the world. Mistreatment, rudeness, and intolerance really chop my hide, as we say in Texas (makes me angry).

3. What do you hate the most about Morocco/Moroccans?

For such a strong and bold question, I would have to say that stereotyping about a nation of people based on my interactions with a minuscule percent of the population is unfair and ignorant.  Of the people that I have met in this beautiful place, I have been surprised at how willing some are to take shortcuts for personal gain, rather than working together for lasting progress and solidarity.  But I find that I see that in various ways wherever I have been—whether that be India, the United States, or Morocco.

4. Which is the most embarrassing situation in your life?

Once, I was leaving a phone message for my employer to inform her that I could work on a day she needed. I accidently said “I love you” at the end of the message (usually, I leave messages on my mom’s phone, so I commonly end a message with “I love you”).  Rather than just hanging up the phone, I turned red in the face and started making nervous grunting noises.  So on my boss’ voicemail, she had “I love you, ah, um, eh, yikes, oh…(Hang up).”  Luckily, she didn’t ask me about it later.

5. Don’t you think that you underestimated yourself when you chose to become a teacher?

I’m not sure what to make of this question, but I kind of like it. First, teaching in any capacity is an incredibly noble and important job for society’s development as a whole.  Next, teaching offers a continual challenge that students don’t really think about. When teaching, you must “be on your game” the whole time, namely, be prepared for anything a student can throw at you.  You prepare for the unexpected, and always seek to surprise. I love academia, and I think I will always be apart of it in some form.  That’s really the most I can hope for, to never loose my curiosity.

7. Are you tired of having people that don’t know how to speak English properly in your classes?

At times, I become tired of my students making the same errors every day, even after hours of review—however that’s part of the process of learning a new way of thinking (thinking in English).  In general, I’m extremely happy to help people learn, especially those who make the extra effort and really strive for more.

8. Why did you come to Morocco?

I came to Morocco for two main things: adventure and growth. I want to become an active, knowledgeable, responsible person and so returning to Morocco as a young, American, female teacher gave me the opportunity to do that. Now all I can do is make sure that I make the most of it while I am here.

9. Who did you vote for?

I didn’t vote this past election, and generally don’t vote in presidential elections. This is because I identify with a direct democracy fundamentally inconsistent with capitalism, representatives, and an electoral college.  I think voting is important and I vote in other elections and seek to be a responsible citizen in other ways.

10. Who is the person that you admire the most?

That is definitely my mother.  She is the strongest, most passionate, caring woman I know. As a single mother in a very demanding job, she always did her best and instilled in me a desire for more.  Without her, I would have been lost, and now I can only hope to be that same inspiration for someone else.

As you may have noticed, my questions and my teacher’s answers were kind of general. However, I hope that this interview will give you an idea about a person who officially made me addicted to the ALC.