New Northstars Staff Members Interviews
Questions by Lewis Cassidy and Charrilyn Martinez, Edited by Caitlin Hill, Photos by Sarah Formica and Haylen Pando
Star Status interviewed new Northstar staff members about their experience at Nottingham so far, why they became a teacher, and what they did before working here.
Mr. Nick VanSchoick (Business Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
VanSchoick: My experience at Nottingham has been great so far. I really enjoy getting to know my students and what they are interested in. I'm also going to be helping out with the wrestling team this season and could not be more excited. I can already tell that I have made a home here and I love what I do every day. SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. VanSchoick: I teach Computer Applications and Internet Concepts/Web Page Design. My classes always involve computers and the internet every day! SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) VanSchoick: When I was in High School I never thought that I would go to college because I had a love for cars and motorcycles. I wanted to work as a mechanic and talk about cars all day. One day during my senior year of high school, my Dad convinced me to give business school a shot and I ended up graduating with honors. Soon after that I decided I wanted to teach business at the High School level to make a difference in kids lives. SS: Where did you go to college? VanSchoick: Rowan University SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? VanSchoick: Pinelands High School and Middletown South High School SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? VanSchoick: My favorite subject was Physical Education because my football coach was my teacher and we were allowed to lift weights all four years instead of playing the normal games. |
Ms. Kelly Bernhard (Science Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
Bernhard: I love it here! Everyone has been very friendly and helpful. I love seeing my former students. SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. Bernhard: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology B, and Environmental Science B SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) Bernhard: I decided to become a teacher because I've always loved to help others learn. One of the things that makes me happy is to see how excited my students get when "they get it". I also enjoy making connections with them, and hearing about the things they do outside of school. SS: Where did you go to college? Bernhard: I got my Biology degree from Georgian Court University, my Nursing degree from Rowan College at Burlington County and Thomas Edison State University, and I will be finishing my Master's in Education from the American College of Education this November. SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? Bernhard: I was at Crockett for 23 years! SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? Bernhard: My favorite subject was Science, and I teach that now. SS: Is there anything that you would like students to know about you? Bernhard: Keep the lines of communication open with me. You don't have to tell me your life story. I want you to be successful, but I need you to tell me how I can help you do that. I also enjoy when "my kids" (yes, that's you!) stop by in the morning. |
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Ms. Kiyomi Locker (Social Studies Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
Locker: Wonderful SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. Locker: I teach World History A Level, Ancient/Medieval History, and AP European History SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) Locker: I became a teacher because I wanted to help students realize the power of education. SS: Where did you go to college? Locker: Georgian Court University (Bachelors) and Johns Hopkins University (Masters), currently enrolled at Rutgers University (Certification) SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? Locker: I worked in the museum world including institutions such as The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Historic Whitesbog Village. SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? Locker: History and of course I do! SS: Is there anything that you would like students to know about you? Locker: I am a Disney adult, absolutely love anything Disney/Star Wars/Marvel or whatever! |
Ms. Helen Griswold (World Language Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
Griswold: Very good so far! Everyone has been welcoming and helpful! SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. Griswold: German 1-AP SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) Griswold: I love Germany! My international experiences have been some of the most transformational in my life. I felt that the best thing I could do with that love and experience is to foster the curiosity of young people and help them embrace a new culture. SS: Where did you go to college? Griswold: University of Iowa (BA - German) and University of Maryland (Master's - Education) SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? Griswold: Central Regional School District in Bayville, NJ. SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? Griswold: It depended on who was teaching it, but usually German, English, or History. SS: Is there anything that you would like students to know about you? Griswold: If you ever have any questions about Germany or about living abroad, I'm happy to help! |
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Mr. Brian Whitley (Math Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
Whitley: Great! SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. Whitley: I teach Bridge to Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2, and Algebra 1B SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) Whitley: I always admired my math teachers growing up and wanted to do the same thing for students now that my teachers did for me then SS: Where did you go to college? Whitley: Stockton University SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? Whitley: Well immediately before Nottingham I worked as an English teacher in Spain for a year. Before that I worked for a number of years as a data analyst for a large insurance advisor company. SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? Whitely: Math and yes! SS: Is there anything that you would like students to know about you? Whitely: I'm an avid sports fan of the Yankees, Devils, Jets and thanks to my last year in Spain now Real Madrid! |
Mr. Sean Howard (Health/PE Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
Howard: Incredible. Students and faculty have been extremely welcoming! SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. Howard: I teach 11th grade physical education during semester 1 focusing on implementing strategies and sportsmanship into game play and 11th grade Health during semester 2 focusing on CPR/AED, Pregnancy and Reproduction. SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) Howard: I was a kid who needed school. Home life wasn't the greatest and I became attached to teachers who became role models to me. I wanted to become that person for another student who may be in a similar situation as I once was. SS: Where did you go to college? Howard: East Stroudsburg University SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? Howard: I taught in Roselle, NJ at Grace Wilday Middle School for 6 years and at Abraham Clark High School for another 6 years. SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? Howard: Health and I sure do! SS: Is there anything that you would like students to know about you? Howard: I've been a high school coach, a college athlete, own a farm and animals. I play professional disc golf in my spare time and helped design Mercer Disc Golf Course. I have a daughter Tessa Mae (2) and a son on the way. Being a teacher is only part of who all of us are. We are people just like you and your family. Don't hesitate to ask questions, it's what we are all here for. |
Ms. Kristin Stines (World Language Teacher)
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Star Status: How has your experience at Nottingham been so far?
Stines: My experience has been good so far. I'm getting used to teaching at a high school level after teaching 19 years in a middle school. SS: What classes do you teach? Or describe your job. Stines: I teach mostly Spanish 1 and one Spanish 2 class this year. SS: Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Or work in a school) Stines: I've always wanted to be a teacher. I remember being very young and wanting to work with young children. I always thought I'd teach elementary school but that changed after I did student teaching in college. SS: Where did you go to college? Stines: The College of New Jersey SS: Where did you teach (or work) before coming to Nottingham? Stines: I taught at JP Case Middle School in Flemington, NJ. SS: What was your favorite subject in school and do you teach that now? Stines: My favorite subject in school was language arts but I teach Spanish now. I guess I just like languages. SS: Is there anything that you would like students to know about you? Stines: I graduated from Nottingham in 1998! |