“My students can expect someone who’s tough but fair, and if they trust the learning process, they’ll find it can be a good time.” – Mr. Brook Zelcer
Class: AP English Language and Composition, Modern American Literature, and Creative Writing
About/Description: “I love teaching AP Lang and Composition, but I’d have to say Creative Writing is my favorite. It depends on the configuration of the class—that particular group of individuals. But this year’s Creative Writing class is really exceptional, so it’s a lot of fun for me.”
CAPTION: Birdwatching at Sandy Hook
FUN FACTS: “I was a tennis instructor for a little bit more than 20 years at different racquet clubs in Bergen County.”
“I once went on a date and accidentally set my date’s fur coat on fire. There was no second date.”
“If I could meet anyone in the world, I guess I would want to talk to one of my heroes about art and writing, and that’s the Russian writer Anton Chekhov. I would love to meet him and pick his brain about life, the writing process, and just about anything.”
“The most impressive thing about teaching is seeing student progress, and I also enjoy the students’ creativity and unique ideas they share with me.” – Mrs. Yoko Fukuda
Class: Japanese 3, Japanese 3H, Japanese 4, AP Japanese Language
About/Description: “My expectation is not only learning the Japanese language. What’s more important is learning and experiencing Japanese culture. That’s why I like the cultural exchange program with the high school in Yokohama. That’s a great chance for students to speak Japanese with native speakers and also hang out with students from Japan, experience Japanese games, and share pop culture.”
CAPTION: Outside of a museum in Cincinnati for an AP Reading conference.
FUN FACTS:
“My favorite thing to do outside of school is to play tennis, and I also love watching sports. This year, I went to the US Open, and I was so excited when [Jannik] Sinner won.”
“I couldn’t sleep when I was watching the MLB World Series. I like the Yankees and the Mets, and I like to see Ohtani’s home runs.”
“I try to emphasize and demonstrate the skills that will prepare students to succeed in the business world. Professionalism, respect and kindness for all, and just being a good person are things that are emphasized every day.” – Mr. Antonio Marino
Class: Accounting, Marketing 1, 2 and 3 (previously taught every business course in the department except International Business)
About/Description: “I love teaching business because we are all consumers. So everything we teach can and will be used by students in their everyday lives. I like knowing that I am teaching kids skills that they are guaranteed to utilize well after they leave NVOT. I tend to take on a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality. Students know that when work is assigned, it needs to get done. And when that happens, easy days of watching Shark Tank are earned.”
CAPTION: “The photo I attached is of me and 4 year old Boston Terrier, Delta, while we were out on a hike. I love this photo because it reminds me to be happy about the simple things in life: the beauty of nature and seeing how happy my dog is to be exploring new things.”
FUN FACTS: “I have traveled extensively, visiting about 35 countries with some of the highlights being Dubai, Tahiti, Hong Kong, and Spain. Coolest things I have done: skydiving in Las Vegas and hang gliding off a mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”
“If I was not a teacher, I think I would be a flight attendant. Getting paid to travel the world, stay in nice hotels, and experience new places and foods – what is better than that?”
