With thirteen new teachers, TJ continues to evolve.
by Vince Crespin
photo by Kevin Fleming
As TJ waves good-bye to teachers who have been in its halls for more then 20 years, it welcomes in new faces with open arms.
With a total of thirteen new teachers in the building replacing educational mainstays like Alice Weeda retiring last year, a tremendous void in both teachers and experience was created at the end of last year. Department Chairs Sue Stokley(English Language), Tim Owens (Math), Sharon Colbath (Science), Kirsten Atwood (Special Education) and Paul Kirschling (Foreign Language) all had to add new members to their departments.
With various age and experience levels, each new teacher brings his/her own unique view and experience to the position. Matt Santambrogio, for example, taught seventh grade for the past two years at Rishell middle school. As a student at Metro, CU Denver and UNLV, Santambrogio majored in English, knowing he eventually wanted to teach English as a subject. “As a student I was a big reader, that’s how I spent a lot of my spare time. I’ve known for a while I wanted to be a teacher. I teach both 9th and 12th grade, and it is so much different and a lot more fun than teaching middle school students; however, they know when you are making something up, so they will call you out, so it is more of a challenge,” said Santambrogio.
Lispin Kurivilla is the only new addition to the Math department, and like Santambrogio she is from Colorado. She attended the University of Northern Colorado as a Math Major. A former Bear Creek student, Kurivilla knew since second grade that she wanted to teach; it was just recently that she realized she wanted to teach high school. A former middle school teacher as well, Kurivilla has enjoyed the change. “Younger kids are definitely more energetic, and sometimes it interferes with their learning. I love teaching high school students because they are more mature and I like seeing the students evolve, since I teach all levels of high school students.”
Both teachers had a mixture of feelings coming into Thomas Jefferson and teaching older students for the first time. “I was very nervous, but at the same time pretty excited. It’s been a while since I have been in High School; I really looked forward to this opportunity,” said Santambrogio.
“I was actually ecstatic and really relieved. It was my dream to teach High School, and I am just thankful TJ and Principal Just gave me the opportunity,” said Kurivilla.
With four new teachers in special education, three in language arts, two new foreign language teachers, two science teachers, and two math teachers, students and staff alike will be adjusting to new teaching styles and personalities. However, Assistant Principal Scott Lessard is optimistic. “We, as an administrative staff, are excited. I think the teachers are an energetic group who will help raise our expectations for every child. With Lorraine Armstrong, Hilda Babaian, Kerry Black, Niki Conley, Katy Flick, Gabrielle Gerlits, Lispin Kurivilla, Mark Mallaney, Mollie Pitrone, Amy Reichow, Elizabeth Repenseck, Priban Risal and Matt Santambrogio joining the staff, this should be a very exciting year for TJ and its staff,” said Lessard.
