“My experience as a former financial advisor really helps students out because they can get a different insight, as opposed to just reading a book. They can hear real stories about how financial literacy impacts people and their lives.”
Class: Entrepreneurship & Management CPE and Honors, International Business Honors, Business Software Applications & PFL, and Business & Personal Finance
What students can expect from your class:
- “I try to keep my classes as stress-free as possible. I want students to just try and learn as much as possible and keep it a positive learning environment. I appreciate that kind of environment, because all the classes that I ever took in college, the ones that I was the least stressed in, were the ones that I did the best in. When students are overly stressed and anxious, they’re just worried about passing a test as opposed to learning the content, and it’s more important for me that students understand these things so that they don’t make any financial mistakes outside of school.”
CAPTION: “From a football game.”
FUN FACTS:
- “I was a financial advisor, but I like being a teacher. I’ve found my passion, and that’s one thing that is important. I stress this to students, to find your passion.”
- “I did play Division I College Football. That was fun. I was actually First Team All-ACC Academic. The Atlantic Coast Conference is one of the biggest conferences for football, and I was a punter, so that was a cool accomplishment for me to get honored in that way.”
- “I wear a bow tie every Friday. So it’s “bow tie Fridays” in my classroom every Friday. What happened was, I had students in my first year teaching who dared me to wear a bow tie one day. So, I wore one on a Friday, and they said I was never going to wear it again. So, I wore it every Friday for the rest of the year, and after that, everybody liked it. It’s kind of like a tradition. Every time you see me in a bow tie, you know it’s the end of the week.”
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Frank Rotella
“My favorite part of teaching history is being able to connect historic events from hundreds, even thousands of years ago, to events happening today, as well as seeing my students being able to do the same.”
Class: US History 1 CPE and World History CPE
What students can expect from your class:
- “In my class, students can expect to be greeted at the door everyday with a smile. They can also expect I will give them my all, which I ask them to do as well.”
CAPTION: “Me and my dad apple picking. My family started going apple picking when I was little, and now it’s an annual tradition.”
FUN FACTS:
- “One fact that students might not know about me is that I love true crime documentaries and TV shows. I enjoy them so much that I got my degree in Criminal Justice in college.”
Photo Courtesy of Ms. Samantha Brunn
“What I love the most about it is definitely the labs, doing stuff with different students, seeing them getting excited about different experiments. It’s probably my favorite thing about it.”
Class: General Chemistry, Chemistry CPE, Chemistry Honors
What students can expect from your class:
- “They can expect to learn a lot about chemistry, the different topics there. They can expect me to talk to them about different concepts. Some group work, where they work on it through problems and things like that. Like I said, before lab activities, I try and do my best to get students to move around the classroom as much as possible. You know, as a student sitting down, it’s hard.”
- “I want students to take responsibility. I know chemistry is hard. I know not every single person’s into it, but I want them to try their best in the class. Pay attention. Do work outside of class, if needed. If they’re struggling with something, come see me for extra help. I want them to really develop the mindset of, ‘If I don’t get it right away, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal. As long as I put the time in, I’ll be able to get this.’”
CAPTION: “My family is the most important thing to me. Here we are celebrating my son’s eighth birthday party.”
FUN FACTS:
- “Outside of school, I definitely play some video games, some that the students play. I’ve played Super Smash Bros before you guys were born. Like, Mario Kart right now, and I’m playing Hollow Knight: Silksong that came out last week.”
- “I also like to work out, swim, bike, run– all that good stuff outside of school. Very active, yeah? I’m also busy with my kids. I have kids in third grade and first grade. I’m currently coaching my son’s soccer team and taking them to sports, all that stuff. So, I’m pretty busy outside of school.”
Photo Courtesy of Tomas Villa
