Waterford High School teachers rarely get the chance to see other classes in the school, though many teachers have strong opinions on the classes they wish they could take.
Imagine your history teacher nervously presenting in drama class, or your math teacher trying to master watercolor techniques in art.
When deciding what classes they’d take, some teachers chose to stay in their own field and take their own class.
Mrs. Ramos, the culinary teacher, says, “I would definitely take my own class, but I would also take Mrs. Lally’s art class because I’d like to learn to draw better. But I would love to take my own class because food is my life.”
Mrs. Lally, one of the art teachers, says, “There are so many interesting ones. I’d probably take AP Drawing. I’m writing it as I’m teaching it, and a lot of it is stuff I wish I had in high school.”
Mrs. Balisciano, the child development teacher, says, “I would take Child Development and Culinary Essentials because it helps you throughout your entire life, no matter your career.”
A couple of teachers decided on a class because of a teacher and all the good things they’ve heard about them.
Mr. Bassett, one of the math teachers, says, “I would take AP Government because I’m very interested in the government, and I also hear that Mr. Cheney is an amazing teacher, and I’d like to experience that.”
Mr. Wheeler, the ASL teacher, says, “I’d take Coastal Nav with Mr. Ellis. I was in training with him and he kept talking about the class and it made me really intrigued. I’m really into learning about maps and going out on the water.”
Mrs. Virtue, one of the history teachers, says, “I would say Mr. Cheney’s AP Government class because he is an amazing teacher and I know I would learn a lot in his class and that would also help me to be a better teacher for my students.”
Dr. Dumin, one of the science teachers, says, “I think I would take some PE class with Mr. Walker because he’s a rockstar. I would also take the EMT class because my certifications are expired.”
Mr. Walker, one of the PE teachers, says, “Any history class with Mr. Cheney because I hear so many great things about his classes and I’d like to sit in on one.”
Some teachers picked their classes because of the life skills that they can provide.
Mr. Florio, one of the math teachers, says, “I’d take Child Development because my brother just had a baby and I have no idea how that works.”
Mrs. Tessier, one of the English teachers, says, “I think I’d probably take Culinary Essentials because I love cooking and the idea of being able to eat the food after.”
Mrs. Keating, one of the English teachers, says, “I would take criminal justice because that is such an excellent class and there is so much of it I could put in my own classes.”
Mrs. Agins, one of the science teachers, says, “I’d take ceramics because I’ve always wanted to learn how to do pottery. It’s one of my life goals.”
Mrs. Poitras, one of the science teachers, says, “I would probably take a digital design or basic art class because I like to be creative. There’s some freedom of expression in an art class and you get to use your imagination.”
Ms. Bono, photography teacher, says, “I would want to take Culinary Essentials because I would like better cooking skills from Mrs. Ramos.”
Mr. Samuelson, the Principal of WHS, says, “Financial literacy because it’s relevant to your everyday life; whether it’s learning how to budget your finances, how to understand how credit cards work, interest rates, or personal expenses.”
Mrs. Hesch, one of the history teachers, says, “Culinary because she has the best ideas of what to make and she’s just the best.”
Mrs. Peluso, one of the English teachers, says, “Culinary because I like food. It’s important to learn how to cook for yourself and how to make healthy foods.”
Mr. Deon, one of the security guards, says, “I would take automotive because it’s all real world skills. You learn things like replacing breaks and changing oil so you don’t have to pay other people to do it for you.”
Mrs. Moore, one of the assistant principals, says, “I would take a culinary course because I feel like I don’t know anything about cooking. I would like to be able to cook things that taste good, where I don’t have to go to a restaurant and pay premium dollars.”
Mr. Ash, one of the history teachers, says, “I would take Culinary Essentials so I can eat. A double period of cooking. I’d also take an art class to express my inner creativity.”
Quite a few teachers decided on their classes because it’s a class they’ve always wanted to take or learn more about.
Mrs. Provo-Parker, one of the art teachers, says, “I would like to take Historian’s Craft because I want to know what it is. Plus, it sounds like they might be talking about significant art pieces from the past.”
Mr. Blackburn, one of the security guards at WHS, says, “I’d take Creative Writing because I’m really into describing things with different metaphors, like different feelings and emotions. Metaphors bring out passions in different ways.”
Mr. Cheney, one of the history teachers, says, “Team Sports. There’s nothing I miss more about growing up than playing sports on a team.
Mrs. Batty, one of the assistant principals, says, “I’d 100% take sign language because it’s something I’ve always wished I’d taken, and I think it’s a great skill. Really, any language, but specifically sign language.”
Mr. Cadorette, the librarian at WHS, says, “I’d take Mr. Lovering’s physics classes because I know nothing about math and science, and it seems like I’d learn something in those classes.”
Mr. Lovering, physics teacher, says, “I would probably take either ASL or Latin. ASL is another useful language, and what little bit of ASL I do know, those who are deaf are very appreciative when you try to communicate with them. Latin, because nobody knows their Latin cognates anymore, and it’s really important to understand that.
Mrs. Hartell, one of the English teachers, says, “I would take auto mechanics and woodshop because high school is the only time you can learn those skills for free, and they’re much more practical than English. I’d also take coastal nav to spend time on boats and mock Mr. Ellis.”
Mr. Sherman, one of the civics teachers, says, “I’d take marine biology because I love the ocean and I think it’s really cool and I’d like to know more about it.”
Ms. Marchese, one of the Spanish teachers, says, “I would probably take ASL 1. I am obviously interested in languages, and it would be interesting to learn a non-spoken language.”
If our teachers could turn back time and choose a class to take as a student, their picks might surprise you.
