Ms. Eagan: A Fresh Face in Language & Literature

by Suhani and Vennela

What does it take for a lesson to not feel like a task but an adventure? Ask Ms. Cassandra Eagan, AISG’s new English teacher and the grade 11 leader whose journey to the classroom –began under the lights of a magical place Walt Disney company. Before guiding students through literature, Ms. Eagan mastered the art of performing and instruction not just as a dancer at Walt Disney but as a dedicated dance teacher who has been practicing her skills her entire life and even as a swim instructor during her high-school and college years. Her journey to our classroom started 8 years ago and continued across many continents where she taught places like Uruguay, the United States and Myanmar bringing a global perspective that makes each lesson memorable.  

When you step into Ms. Eagan’s classroom, you’ll find it as interesting as her experiences. Along with the usual books and assignments, she keeps a pet spider named Timothee who has quietly become a part of the class. When Ms. Eagan is not teaching, she continues to follow interests that showcase her creativity. She practices Kenjutsu the Japanese martial art she started two years ago and hopes to continue mastering. Though she misses her family back in Pennsylvania, especially her sister, whom she Facetimes nearly every day. She has created a wonderful home here in China with her fiancé, Mr. Paredes who teaches design at AISG and their rescue cat Kita whose obsession with trash and dumpster diving earned her nickname “Trash Cat”. One of Ms. Eagan’s best memories is from their trip to Chengdu back in November where they got engaged forever, linking their personal story to China.  

Ms. Eagan crafts her classroom to be a space where energy and structure work together , creating lessons that are both memorable and genuinely helpful. She describes her teaching style as energetic and structured, creating a positive environment where students feel supported. Her advice for a successful school year is straightforward “don’t be afraid to ask for help,” , and remember that some worries can be “tomorrow’s problem.” When stress builds up, she suggests practicing mindfulness, which she acknowledges can sound like a big concept, but simply means asking yourself basic questions like: “What do I see around me? What do I feel right now? What can I hear?” 

From Disney stages to AISG classrooms, Ms. Eagan continues to create magic not just by showcasing her creativity but by helping students find their own spotlight in learning. Welcome to AISG Ms. Eagan— we can’t wait to see what adventures your students will discover this year!