White Plains High School welcomed an array of new teachers this year, all ready to make an impact on students.
“I’ve always loved reading and writing,” explained Mr. Garcia, a new addition to the English department. Though he’s always had a natural inclination toward literature, Mr. Garcia was inspired to teach by one of his high school English classes. He said, “In high school, I took an honors English class with a teacher who really felt down-to-earth. I took that as my calling to become a teacher.” This influence can be seen in his classroom, where students engage in language arts in a comfortable and interactive environment.
So far, his White Plains High School experience is exactly what he expected: it has been great. He said English is important for high schoolers because they will be reading and writing “wherever they go.”
A highlight of his teaching experience so far is the connections he is making with the students. “It feels like I’m a part of something bigger than myself,” he said. He added that teaching is difficult because it is unpredictable, and it is impossible to prepare for everything. An avid reader, he recommends “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros.
Ms. Santucci-Spero, a dance teacher, is an advocate of dance as a way to “express the emotions you have” while getting in physical activity. She fell in love with dance when her mom put her in classes at age 4.
What many students do not know is that she is no stranger to struggle. Born with a rare birth defect that required major surgery in her twenties, she knows what it is like to experience and overcome adversity. Ms. Santucci-Spero described being part of the new dance program as an “exciting journey.” She loves the students at White Plains High School, though she wishes they would be on time to class.
Mr. Gliatta, a new member of the physical education department, has extensive teaching experience: he has taught PE at several public and private schools in districts such as White Plains, Harrison and Scarsdale.
Mr. Gliatta has always been captivated by sports, using them as a way to build community as well as overcome challenges. He played football throughout college, a testament to his dedication and passion for physical activity. His favorite part of teaching PE is the connections he builds with students and staff.
Prior to this year, he worked mostly with children in grades K-5. “It’s my job to bring the same excitement to these high schoolers as I did with the K-5 students,” said Gliatta. He stays active outside of school by hiking, lifting weights, playing in a men’s lacrosse league and walking his dog. When the weather gets cold, he likes to snowboard. He also coaches JV football and basketball.
Mr. Drury, a new business teacher, enjoys teaching business because it is widely applicable to the real world. “The question of, ‘Why are we learning this?’ has a straightforward and inherent answer,” Drury said. As a first-year teacher, his biggest goal is to create a class that students are eager to take. In keeping with this vision, his students will be participating in the INCubator Challenge, a competition that supports early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs.
Mr. Drury hopes students will leave his class with lifelong skills such as entrepreneurship, resume building, budgeting and marketing analysis. Outside of teaching, he enjoys a variety of different hobbies, including juggling and fishing. He was also previously a competitive racquetball player.
Ms. Acevedo has always asked the question, “Why?” Science gave her the answers. It explained many parts of our everyday life: medicine, sickness, weather, cooking and cleaning. “I loved realizing that science isn’t just in textbooks, it’s in everything we do,” said Acevedo. Adding to this, she explained that high schoolers can begin to understand the world they live in through science. In high school, her favorite experiment was making ice cream in lab. “It was one of the rare occasions we got to eat our results.”
Apart from science, Acevedo enjoys a variety of different hobbies. Describing herself as “super athletic,” she enjoys going to the gym, hiking, and sports of all kinds. As a lover of nature, she also does not mind just soaking in the sun. Thanks to our students and staff, her White Plains High School experience has been amazing. Every day is something to look forward to, with students bringing progress, excitement, and motivation to her class.
Not all of the new teachers were interviewed, but every one certainly carries passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives into the building. We cannot wait to see the inspiration they bring our students in and out of the classroom.
