Catching Up With Some Familiar Faces
April 1, 2010 • by Nicole Santomenno
Filed under News, Top Stories
While looking through past-published RHS Rampage newspapers, we found a segment that needed updated. 1997’s, “Welcome Aboard New Teachers” article featured Jonathan Graham, Kimberly Marinan, Anthony Bianca, Steven Augustus and Christopher Lewis, all who are still with RHS today.
The social studies department is thankful to have Jon Graham. Mr. Graham admits he is becoming more stubborn and his expectations have increased. He is also more comfortable assessing on the strengths and weaknesses of his students and is able to apply the best strategies. He has noticed the changing needs of students and how technology has changed student interaction in school since his first year. Mr. Graham, now having three children of his own, still lives by his motto, Motivation is key in life.
“I think that anyone can accomplish their goals if they are motivated and ready to work hard. Lacking motivation is a major cause of failure,” said Graham.
According to Mr. Graham, RHS has been a really great place to teach. “I couldn’t imagine being some place else. The faculty, staff, and students are wonderful,” stated Graham.
Former RHS health teacher and athletic trainer, Kimberly Marinan, is now the director of the school counseling department. In 1999, Ms. Marinan began working as a guidance counselor in the Vernon Regional Adult Education program, which was held here at RHS. In 2005, she took on her current role, where she could “work with students on achieving success on a smaller scale.” With her love of sports, competitive nature, and desire to work with students outside the classroom, she became the JV volleyball coach in 1999. Now, she is the head coach of girls and boys volleyball.
“I continue to love where I work, who I work for and with, and what I do,” said Marinan.
The last time the Rampage checked up on Anthony Bianca, he was planning for his wedding in December of ‘97. Now he has two children, Sofia and Alexander. Mr. Bianca still teaches English classes but in 2000 he wrote the curriculum for a new fine arts course, American Film, which is still running today. In addition to the American Film class, Mr. Bianca has written a few television pilots for a friend recently. He also loves to cook. Unlike before, he does not play deck hockey anymore. Outside of RHS, his time is spent watching his children play sports and he finds time to watch films with his wife. When asked about the changes in the English department, Mr. Bianca replied, “It is always nice to have young teachers and fresh ideas join the department.”
During Steven Augustus’ first year at RHS, there was no block scheduling, just eight blocks a day. He says he couldn’t imagine returning to the old schedule. Now just down to four tech-ed teachers, Mr. Augustus sticks to “old tried and true methods” which he learnt 30 years ago, when it comes to teaching. In 1997, he discussed how he would like to do “special projects” with his advanced students.
“Every year there are things presented that I would never imagined,” said Augustus.
For example, this year, Mr. Augustus and his students built a pitching mound, used for indoor baseball practices, for only two-hundred dollars instead of buying a new one for fourteen-hundred. Since 1997, he has accomplished two years of attending the Connecticut Fire Academy to get training for the Fire Technology course he is now teaching. To this day he is still a member of the Vernon Fire Department.
“This was a big accomplishment for me at my age,” said Augustus. “Most of the recruits were in their twenties and I was in my late forties.”
Still teaching German and French classes, Christopher Lewis is a great part of the world language department. He occasionally teaches Spanish, now having his Spanish certification, unlike in 1997. His ambition is to drive “coast to coast,” the same dream he had when he first started teaching. He has been with his family to California, Utah, and Washington State but he would still like to travel across country by car. According to Mr. Lewis, RHS is pretty much the same but is “a bit more aware of other cultures and the wider world.” Before RHS, Mr. Lewis was a teacher in Germany, France, England and Austria.
“High school students are pretty much the same,” says Lewis. “Perhaps [European high school students] take school a bit more seriously; knowing that they don’t get as many chances as students here.” Mr. Lewis manages great activities and trips. For the students taking German courses, there is a field trip to a German restaurant and a three week visit to Germany. For the kids who take French classes there is a three day visit to Quebec. “RHS students are pleasant to be with.” stated Lewis. Without Christopher Lewis, RHS World Language Department would not be the same.
RHS is greatly appreciative for those teachers who have spent so many years here. It is nice to see the changes and new achievements they have made from 1997 and now. Will someone new from The Rampage will catch up with us in the next 13 years
Loading ...
We want to see some pictures of 1997 hair!!!
[Reply]