Upper School Creative Writing teacher Alicia Ortega
Position: Upper School Creative Writing teacher
Education: BA Stanford (English, Human Biology minor), MFA Louisiana State (Creative Writing)
What did you do before you came to Keystone: I was in grad school, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing in coffee shops. I still do. Before that I was a content writer for a startup.
Why do you like working here: The respect and support our students give each other is humbling. I also love to read everyone’s work and watch writers further develop their own unique voices.
Hobbies/pastimes: Karaoke and movies and spider solitaire. Always down for Pictionary, too.
Something (personal or professional) you’re proud of: I’ve recently started doing standup, which is terrifying. Now that I’ve overcome the initial fear, though, I kind of feel like I can do anything if my heart’s in the right place.
Favorite book: I have so many! Right now I’m loving SEVERANCE by Ling Ma, IN THE DREAM HOUSE by Carmen Maria Machado, and anything by Mary Gaitskill or Erin McGraw.
Favorite quote: “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson