NEIRAD
New Teachers: 2008
Call them force multipliers. The 12 new staff members hired to bolster the academic ranks at DHS. The roster includes new teachers in all disciplines. We wanteed to give students a glimpse of the staff members that may enter their lives. Check out Neirad Enilno's faculty preview.
By Jenny Large, Spencer Matson & Kimberly Michels - 09/08
NEIRAD enilno edition | printer friendly
Laura
Young
Hometown:
Mattituck, NY
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – Fairfield University, Class of 2007
Goals for the Year:
To get to know her students and make sure they always feel comfortable in the classroom.
Summer Flicks Caught:
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2"
Something You May Not Know About Me:
Ms Young is new to the region, so she may not know all the local spots. But Ms Young was a student teacher here last year so she already knows the school.
Michael Scott
Hometown:
Darien, CT
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – UConn Grad - pursuing masters in Secondary Math Education at Southern CT State University.
Why I Chose DHS
Mr Scott is a DHS graduate. (Class of 1997)
Favorite TV Show:
"The Office"
Something You May Not Know About Me:
Before becoming a math teacher, Mr Scott played professional baseball for the Detroit Tigers.
Dana Altshuler
Hometown:
Stamford, CT
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – University of Delaware Grad – Dartmouth
Job Prior to DHS:
She worked in Calvert County, Maryland and the New Haven Public School System. This is her fifth year teaching high school classes.
Favorite TV Show:
She loves reality television.
David
Hoyt
Chemistry has given one too many students headaches. In the experiments there always seem to be too many concoctions to mix up. Mr. Hoyt, the new chemistry teacher, as a Red Sox fan, dancer, and athlete is made up of perhaps the most varying components yet.
Hometown?
Mr Hoyt grew up in Reading, Mass. This is just outside of Boston making him a big Red Sox fan.
Where did you go to school?
Undergrad - Bates College. Graduated with a degree in chemistry and minors in bio and math.
My Previous Jobs?
Mr Hoyt taught at Bowdoin College for one year (1967-68) and taught chemistry at New Milford High School from 1968 – 2007. He retired in June 2007 and Mr Fiftal his principal at New Milford in 2000. He called me in June to fill a vacancy. My college freshman chemistry professor at Bates was great , so I switched from Bio to Chem.”
My Hobbies?
Mr Hoyt loves basketball, but cannot play anymore ( no shoulders or knees left after 32 tears of pounding). So now he and his wife enjoy ballroom dancing. They met at New Milford’s Adult Ed Ballroom dancing class in 2000 and still love to dance.
Mr Hoyt's favorite TV show is "NCIS," followed closely by "CSI."
Kathleen
Gilbert
Most teachers disregard a student’s whines. It as though our pitiful excuses for last night’s homework being late is muffled in their ears. Yet, Mrs. Gilbert, as the School Social Worker, will be happy to listen to any student’s woes.
Hometown:
Stamford, CT
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – Emmanuel College Grad – University of Michigan
Favorite Show:
"The Office"
Hobbies Outside of School:
Photography, Art, Traveling
Places Traveled:
Greece, India, Malaysia, and all over the United States and Europe.
Places Yet to Travel to: Africa, Australia, South America
Most Looking Forward to: “Probably getting to know the students.”
Janet
Daniele
Though we are delighted to hear of the new teachers eager to meet their students, it is most flattering when a teacher leaves and comes back—that means that actually do like us. Janet Daniele worked as a math and science secretary for about a year and a half at DHS. Yet, despite our instant talking I’m sure she witnessed at times in the learning connections room she is eager to come back to DHS as a Biology teacher.
Hometown:
Stamford, CT
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – Sacred Heart University Grad – University of New Haven Teaching Degree: Sacred Heart University
My Previous Jobs?
Former math and science secretary for about a year and a half at DHS. Worked at Beiersdorf-testing Aquafor and Eucerin
My Favorite TV. show?
"House"
Interesting fact about myself?
Collecting Barbie dolls. With the help of one of custodians I plan to sell them on eBay.com “to buy my first home.”
Why did I choose to return to DHS?
It is “very welcoming” and I have “made such great friends and role models.”
My plans for this year
Beside lesson plans? Locks of Love
Hai Ming Wu
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – National Taiwan University in Taiwan Grad – Purdue University
When students think of French class they think of crepes. When they think of Spanish class they think of churros. Yet, when students think of Mandarin class they think of shopping in Chinatown for a field trip. Though many students base their classroom languages on their stomachs and field trip opportunities each class has a vast array of classroom topics. Hai-Ming Wu, a new Mandarin teacher, hopes to bring this sense of learning to her students as she says she is most looking forward to meeting her new students and teaching them much more than the Chinese characters written on the back of a fortune cookie.
Hometown?
Ms Wu lived in Taiwan during her childhood, but later moved to the States.
My Hopes for the year:
To meet her new students and teach them a wonderful language and culture.
Why did I choose teaching?
By “chance” while working in finance. “I loved it” and “never went back.”
A Few of My Favorite Things?
Music, New England, theater
Favorite T.V. show?
"Jeopardy"
Emily
Heiden
The English hallways are usually quiet. At times there may be a short burst of intuition yelled during a fiery philosophical debate, yet, mostly things are quiet down in B-wing. However, when a teacher dares to etch the word “grammar” on the chalkboard moans seem to echo down the corridors. Yet, Emily Heiden is daring the odds this year and preparing to teach her classes a thing or two about grammar.
Hometown?
Shelton, CT
Where did you go to school?
Undergrad - UCONN
Grad - University of Iowa
My Previous Jobs:
Ms Heiden worked as a reporter for the Cedar Rapids Gazette in Iowa while attending grad school. (Ms Heiden also worked on her high school newspaper, Gael Winds.
My Affection for Language:
Ms Heiden describes herself as “fairly normal except I love punctuation. I am a massive verbal dork.”
My Favorite T.V. shows:
"Gilmore Girls" and "Grey’s Anatomy"
Something You May Not Know:
Ms Heiden participated in adult spelling bees in Iowa State" "though my teammates never loved it as much as I did.”
My Favorite Book:
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Jennifer Cirino
Hometown:
Westport, CT
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – Fairfield University (where she got a teaching and English degree) Grad – Middlebury and Fairfield University (at Middlebury she got her masters in Italian literature and at Fairfield she got her masters in Education Technology)
Job Prior to DHS:
Ms Cirino worked at Norwalk High School for four years as well as in the Westport Public School System. She was also the coach of Staples High School’s softball team.
Something You May Not Know About Me:
She lived in Italy for two years while studying to get her masters in Italian.
Steven
Coppock
Hometown:
Santa Rosa, CA
Where Did You Go to School?
Undergrad – University of California at Davis Grad – University of Bridgeport
Job Prior to DHS:
Mr Coppock worked as a health care consultant.
Something You May Not Know About Me:
He likes snowboarding.
James
Perkins
Hometown:
Born in Tyringham, MA; Lived much of his life in Bethlehem, PA
Where Did You Go To School?
Undergrad – Hampshire College Grad – Penn State and East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Job Prior to DHS:
J. M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford for two years
Interesting Fact:
He is the varsity sailing coach and he likes to ski.
Something You May Not Know About Me:
Before entering college, Mr. Perkins worked on an Indian reservation in Arizona. After graduating college, Mr. Perkins became a farmer for 20 years before he went on to get his graduate degree.
Kate
Curcio
Students have a new speech therapist to talk about. Ms. Curcio is a traveler, who with her i-pod in hand is ready to see the world. Yet away from the airport for now she is discovering the culture and adventure to be found at DHS.
Hometown ?
“Born in Norwalk, raised in Bethel.”
Where did you go to school?
Undergrad - The George Washington University ("Go Colonials Basketball!")
Previous Job Locations?
Greenwich Public Schools
Why DHS?
“I love working with high school students.”
The reason I chose to become a speech therapist/teacher:
“I feel that it is everyone’s basic human right to be able to communicate.”
Any interesting/unusual facts about yourself you're willing to admit to your students?
“I just got back from a trip to the Baltics. I visited Holland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, and Denmark. I am an avid traveler, and plan to see the world. I’m also obsessed with my iPod. I don’t go anywhere without it!”
What is your Favorite T.V. show?
“Yikes, this is a tough one. The main ones programmed into my DVR right now are: "Las Vegas" (all time favorite), "The West Wing," "Bones," "My Boys," and "Gossip Girl." "Yes, I watch 'Gossip Girl.' Don’t hold it against me.”
