features
september 4, 2012
More new teachers ... Hana Rhee Precalculus, AP Calculus AB
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Amy Nicholson Precalculus, AP Calculus BC
“I hope to open students’ eyes to seeing math in a different way by sharing my passion and how I see math.”
“Students should leave my class with better critical thinking skills, so that they can problem solve. The test of life doesn’t come with a review sheet.”
Rachael Estep
Haywon Yi World History and Geography II
Manager, Partnership Fund “I am looking forward to being able to get in touch with the public and building a healthy relationship based on TJ’s special reputation.”
“I want to bring enthusiasm and great expectations. And my shoe collection.”
Cynthia Van De Kamp French III, AP French Language and Culture “I’m hoping to bring a sense of humor. I like to laugh.”
Miruna Tecuci School-Based Technology Specialist “I hope to bring a friendly face, and I hope to help with whatever I can whenever I can.”
Monte Bourjaily AP U.S. History, AP Government
“I love history and government, and I hope to show the students what is cool about them.”
John Laffey English 10, Global Studies “I have a good sense of humor, but I take academic honesty very seriously.”
Graphics and reporting by Michael Chao, Arya Dahal, Ellen Kan, Mallika Patkar, Thrisha Potluri, Yena Seo, Jennifer Walter, Alexis Williams and Lindsay Williams
Teachers adjust to new positions and classrooms by Arya Dahal Opinion Editor Neuroscience lab director Mark Hannum pushes the laptop cart to different corner of his new room on the front hall. Redesigning the neuroscience space to accommodate his teaching philosophy is one way of making his new classroom feel like home. With the departure of a record number of teachers last year, a number of faculty members have taken on new teaching assignments for the upcoming year. Hannum, who originally only taught physics, is taking Paul Cammer’s place as Neuroscience lab director. “My research background before TJ was in neuroscience,” Hannum said. “Being in the neuroscience department is an exciting opportunity to get back to actual experimentation that I did in graduate school.” English teacher Maria Gilbert, who taught only English 11 last year, will be adding Senior Seminar to her schedule. Although she doesn’t have experience teaching AP English Literature, Gilbert’s interest in politics and her experience teaching International Baccalaureate (IB) encouraged her to choose the new class. “I am a little nervous, but I’m more excited, having read the books over the summer. I’m interested in the issues and
themes about politics and literature.” Gilbert said. “Knowing Senior Seminar addressed these topics appealed to me.” Other teachers in different positions in the Humanities Department include history teacher David Zack who will be teaching the Leadership Course, history teacher Amanda Hurowitz who will be teaching Honors US/VA alongside English teacher Suzette Henry. History teacher Scott Campbell is also one of the teachers who is teaching a new course. Unlike Gilbert, however, he has had prior experience teaching his new position. Campbell taught AP Government for five years prior to taking on AP U.S. History, which he has taught for the past few years. “While I love teaching APUSH, I am excited to get to teach my other favorite, AP Government, as well,” Campbell said. “It’s not just about knowing facts, it is about knowing how to impact the government system and what citizenship means, both in the U.S. and globally.” In the Mathematics Department, Michael Auerbach will be teaching AP Calculus BC, computer science teacher Stephen Rose will teach Accelerated Computer Science, and Principal Evan Glazer will teach Algebra 2. Math teacher Carol Rychlik will teach Linear Algebra as well as Math of Finance. Like Campbell, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) teacher
Michael Walker will be returning to a familiar position. After a three year absence from the subject, Walker is once again teaching Physics 1. “CAD and physics are really very different, and there’s virtually no overlap between them but I enjoy them both,” Walker said. “I’ve worked just about every problem in the book for physics, but I might need to brush up on specific lessons.” Along with Walker, geosystems teacher James Jarvis and physics teacher Duncan Forbes will also be teaching Physics 1. Design and Tech teacher Jim Jo will be teaching Alternative Energy Systems and Architectural Drawing, and physics teacher Adam Smith will now be teaching Optic Systems. Additionally this year, former DNA science teacher Barbara Wood will teach AP Biology, Robotics lab director Chuck Dela Cuesta will be teach Advanced Microprocessing Systems, Optics lab director John Dell will teach Computer Systems, and Artificial Intelligence teacher Shane Torbert will teach Computer Science Research. Looking forward to the school year, teachers hope to bring a fresh perspective to their new classes. “I’d like to continue the existing lines of experimentation,” Hannum said, “but also open new avenues in neuroscience.”