I studied Latin under Cary Smith for 2 years and it was one of the most rewarding and uniquely impactful learning experiences I've ever had. Cary will tell you himself that his goal is not simply to help you pass the AP test or get a good grade on your final -- it's to impart his passion for the Classics to his students and help cultivate an appreciation for the beauty of language and the cultures from which they were born.
If you choose to study with Cary, be ready to put in work -- his teaching style is not conducive to so-called 'passive' learning and rote memorization that's becoming so common in schools these days, and he'll make it clear he has little time for or interest in students who are unwilling to match his effort. Make no mistake -- it can get exhausting. You will find yourself reading dozens of lines of Latin texts a week, and he demands not only a strong knowledge of vocabulary and syntax but also an understanding of literary techniques and even a bit of historical context. That said, over time it will become natural, and you'll find yourself not only enjoying the texts you read but also hungry to engage in the process of decoding them, hunting down complex passages and thrilling in finally putting together a particularly challenging sentence.
If you ever get the opportunity to study under Cary, do it. His expectations are high -- you'll have to put in as much effort in him as he does in you -- but in the end you'll find the rewards are far greater than higher grades (though those will come too!). read more