Freshmen aren’t the only new faces at Masuk High School. This school year, Masuk has welcomed several new staff members deserving of an introduction. Now that a few weeks have passed and the teachers have had time to settle in, it’s time to introduce the newest faces of the Masuk community.
Music and math aren’t typically associated, but in Mr. Corica’s classroom they work together to create an environment where both passion and precision can thrive.
“I’ve always enjoyed math. It wasn’t the easiest subject for me…but after practicing more and more, I started to gain more confidence and started to appreciate it a lot more,” Corica says.
Corica’s passion for math has encouraged him to show students that math can be encountered outside of the classroom, specifically through one of his own passions: music.
“I like to incorporate music into my instruction as well, just showing how some abstract concepts can be related to playing guitar or piano,” says Corica. “I’m excited to show my students how the stuff that they are learning in their classes is applicable to outside activities.”
Counsellor Ms. Petrafesa values her students’ progress and is always looking for ways to support their growth.
“I enjoy seeing their progression from where they start to where they end. I think wanting to be a part of that has always appealed to me,” says Petrafesa, describing why she chose the career of counseling.
Petrafesa’s love for offering help and care doesn’t stop when she leaves the counselor’s office. Outside of school, she is passionate about animals.
“I always said if I could, if I had all of the money in the world, I would get a farm and rescue like a hundred dogs,” says Petrafesa. “I just love animals of all types; I try to save bugs because I think that all of the little lives matter.”
Down the hall from Ms. Petrafesa is Mr. Rosengrant, a family oriented counselor who is passionate about both his career and his family.
“I spend time with the family as a whole, doing those fun things and vacations and short little trips,” says Rosengrant. “Mainly watching them grow into young adults and see what really inspires them and what they want to do.”
Mr. Rosengrant’s care is also displayed in his passion for observing his students’ well-being.
“Seeing what they really love and excel in and watching them be happy is pretty cool,” says Rosengrant.
Spanish teacher Ms. Knystautas prioritizes guiding and caring for her students above all else.
“I love being in the classroom. I love helping kids. I love being a part of their success. I love being a part of their life and helping them grow,” Knystautas says. “I want [students] to know that I would give my heart and soul to protect them, and make sure they feel safe and welcome.”
Outside of the classroom, she continues to care for those around her. With three kids of her own, she shows passion for being part of the community.
“I feel like it’s a different feeling when you work in a community, and you live in a community too…I hope to bring my experience, my diversity, my passion, my love, my energy, my values, me as a person, as a teacher and as a mother too.”
Math teacher Mr. Diaspro shows a passion for personal growth and discovery, whether in the classroom or in his own experience.
“Learning how I work as a person and seeing other people figure out how they work…something about that is purely personal growth,” says Diaspro. “How you are going to get better, learning from others, and in high school especially it’s about learning how you work as a person.”
He shares his own spark of love for teaching through being a section leader of his high school marching band.
“As a section leader, you’re responsible for everybody in your section…theres so much responsibility there and so much to worry about, and doing that in high school was the perfect bridge to doing this as a job,” says Diaspro.
Now, Diaspro applies the leadership skills he learned from the band to helping his students grow and discover themselves in his classroom.
“I love being able to help students through learning how they work,” says Diaspro. “All of those little pieces of personal growth, seeing them all build up, I feel like from what I’ve seen, I have a new appreciation for it.”
These new teachers are excited to take on Masuk and be a part of our community. With differing interests, passions, and values, they are ready to bring something new to the Masuk environment. Next time you see one of these new teachers, make sure to say hello and welcome them to Masuk!
Leave a comment