An inside look at this year’s new teachers

Lily Kazemi
News Editor

The first day of school is always a challenge whether you’re looking for classes, attempting to memorize your schedule or meeting your new and mysterious teachers. Now, however, they don’t have to be so mysterious; keep on reading for inside interviews with the staff’s newest members!

Jean Bakes
Position: Math Teacher
Education: Southern Connecticut State University (undergrad) and Columbia University Teacher’s College (grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I taught undergrad accounting at WCSU [Western Connecticut State University] early in my accounting career, and loved it. I went back for my grad degree after 25 years as a CPA to teach math. I did student teaching at NCHS along with Bedford Middle in Westport, but I’m very excited to be a teacher in the math department at NCHS. I will be teaching many students this year that were in my classes last year, which is something I am very much looking forward to.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I taught here last year and absolutely loved my students and the fellow teachers. I also live in New Canaan and love this community.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I like teaching because everyday is a new opportunity and new experience. I also love the challenge of a good math problem.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I have 3 teenage children of my own, so I know what they are going through both in and after school! I also have a puppy named Zoey and a bunny named Snooki.

Katherine Bakes
Position: Spanish Teacher

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I was a teacher at Saxe for about 5 years. Before that, I taught at Central High School in Bridgeport.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I missed high schoolers and was looking for a change.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love seeing my students grow, break out of their shells and take risks. In the Spanish classroom, students can be very nervous to use the language and I love when they finally embrace it in their own ways. ¡Sí se puede!
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I went skydiving this summer.

Jessica Cullen
Position: English Teacher
Education: College of the Holy Cross (undergrad) and UCONN (grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
This is my first teaching job, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to begin my career at one of the best schools in the state! I am looking forward to meeting and working with my students and fellow teachers.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
NCHS is renowned for supporting teachers so that they have the resources and know how to best help their students succeed.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love working with high school students and getting to know their opinions, perspectives, and personalities. I especially love class discussions and reading students’ writing because it gives me the opportunity to see how other people’s minds work.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
This summer, I began writing a fantasy fiction novel…. JK Rowling watch out!

Bill Doyle
Position: Math Teacher
Education: State University of New York at Fredonia (undergrad + grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I used to be a teacher at Mahopao High School in New York.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I moved to Connecticut one year ago and have always had an interest in New Canaan.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
Being a math teacher, the item I like the most is when the students teach me something new. I enjoy to allow students to investigate the many topics at math and work together to make conclusions.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I have two huskies and would love to, one day, have a full sled team and compete in back country races.

Allison Fallon
Position: English Teacher
Education: American University (undergrad), Wesleyan University + Sacred Heart University (grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I taught in private schol for 2 years before switching to public. I student taught and permanently subbed in Milford, so this i be my first public school full-year position.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I heard about the dedicated teachers and students and athletic program as one of the best. I chose NCHS because the students pride themselves on their independence, creativity, and imaginations.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love being able to help students achieve their goals, regardless if they are English class based. I love English because reading and writing speak to everyone. You can always express yourself and find a text that speaks to you.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
When I was 18 I could run a mile in four minutes and fifty-one seconds!

Alison Ford
Position: Biology Teacher
Education: Western Connecticut State University (undergrad and grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
This is my first teaching position, and I am excited to join the NCHS community. I can’t wait to meet the students and become part of their lives as high schoolers.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I chose NCHS for its awesome academic programs and wealth of extracurricular activities. It feels like a great community to be a part of.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love the curiosity that goes along with studying biology. It is a great subject for students to learn about themselves and the world around them. I love seeing students discover something new or change the way they previously thought of something.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I like to teach swimming and do yoga in my spare time. I also have a four-year-old daughter.

Marianne Gorski
Position: Occupational Therapy
Education: Quinnipiac (undergrad and grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I was contracted in a variaty of Fairfield and Stratford schools, such as Jennings and Franklin High School.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I wanted to find a place where I can feel like I belong and am part of a family.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
Helping the students become independent, in activities many people take for granted such as daily living skills like brushing your teeth, tying your shoes, and understanding how to tell if a shirt is inside out.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I’m originally from Long Island but have lost my accent. When I’m tired, sometimes my Long Island, Boston, or Southern accent will creep out.

Nicole Hammond
Position: Special Education Teacher
Education: Fairfield University (grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
This is my first job, and I am very excited to begin! I have been working in New Canaan for the past few years as a teacher’s aide and look forward to my new role and responsibilities as an educator!
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I have worked in New Canaan in a variety of capacities – coaching, ABC House, teacher aide and have also received all of my training and experience here. I truly love the community and how much it has to offer!
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love getting to know my students and learning/growing with them every day.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I have hiked all of the mountains in New Hampshire and the majority of the ones in Vermont and Maine.

Linda McGann
Position: School Counselor
Education: University of Massachusetts (undergrad) and Fairfield University (grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I have been a school counselor in Trumbull and Fairfield school systems prior to this year. I worked as a long term sub at NCHS in the counseling office so I am happy to be returning to the district.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
During my four month stay at NCHS, I found the students to be engaging, creative, ambitions and fun to work with as a population. The staff and administration were very professional and a pleasure to celebrate with on projects and student concerns.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I enjoy working with students over the course of four years, getting to know them, and helping them make choices concerning their future and career options.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I like to garden (when the deer are not eating everything!)

Annie Palumbo
Position: Science Teacher
Education: Western CT State University

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
This is my first teaching job. I am very excited to be working at NCHS and I am looking forward to an excellent school year!
How and why did you choose NCHS?
NCHS is at the forefront of education and is an incredibly welcoming community. Here I will be able to grow as a teacher. Also, NCHS offers Earth Science! Not every high school does.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love the opportunity to work with my students. They are the ones who make each day rewarding. Earth Science is such a great subject as it relates to the environment we live in. What we learn in class is all around us.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was four years old.

Amy Rothchild
Position: History Teacher
Education: Colombia University Teacher’s College, NYU Stern Graduate School of Buisness, Brandeis University (grad)

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
This is my second year teaching. Last year I taught at a public middle school in Riverdale, New York.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
The repuatation proceeds all. The school is wonderful and I know other teachers in the school who continue to rave about it.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I love the curiosity that goes along with studying biology. It is a great subject for students to learn about themselves and the world around them. I love seeing students discover something new or change the way they previously thought of something.

Janel Samson
Position: Biology Teacher
Education: Sacred Heart University

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I taught for 11 years at Valley Regional High School that served Chester, Deep River, and Essex.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I chose NCHS because of its high academic standards and strong community.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I absolutely love the sense of humor teenagers have. It makes my job different every day. As for Biology, how can you not love it? It explains how every living thing around us works!
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I love to travel. I have been to 17 countries and actually feel withdrawal when I haven’t used my passport in a while.

Greg Scalzo
Position: Art Teacher
Education: Rhode Island School of Design

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
I previously worked for eleven years at Danbury High School.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I chose NCHS because of the opportunity to work in an established art program with a focus on film and photography which are my specialties.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
I enjoy teaching students to express their ideas and tell stories through filmmaking and photography.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
As a undergrad at RISD I was a classmate and friend of Seth MacFarlane, the creator of the animated series “Family Guy”. We collaborated on our senior thesis projects together.

Katie Spaulding
Position: French/Latin Teacher
Education: University of Connecticut

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
Yes. I think that it’s going to be a very busy year but I’m looking forward to getting out of a college classroom and experimenting with and applying what I’ve learned.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
I chose NCHS because it has a reputation for being a great school district, it’s close to where I live, and I get the opportunity to teach two languages instead of just one.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
Not only does my job allow me to help others learn and appreciate other languages, it also gives me the opportunity to practice my own language skills on a daily basis. I’m also excited to have an active job and not be sitting down for 8 hours a day!
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
I was a figure skating coach, costume designer and assistant fashion designer before deciding to become a teacher.

Michael Staffaroni
Position: History Teacher
Education: Bucknell University and University of Hawaii at Manoa

Is this your first teaching job? If not, where did you work prior to NCHS?
My first teaching job was at Kapolei Middle School in Hawaii. I worked there from 2001 – 2006 and after that I spent the next five years at Kapolei High School.
How and why did you choose NCHS?
NCHS has an amazing combination of an outstanding faculty, impressive leadership and a progressive educational philosophy coupled with high expectations. After looking throughout Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, NCHS is truly a unique place. Most importantly, though, the students here take pride in both their school and their whole community. I’m excited to join this team.
What do you like the most about your job and the subject you are teaching?
Learning is a life-long process and I enjoy helping kids developing the tools and skills they will need to be successful. I love the content social studies because we live it every day.
What is one interesting fact about yourself that you’d like students to know?
Moving from Hawaii is a lot more difficult then moving to Hawaii!