The upper school started this year with three new upper school teachers. They have the task of getting to know each of their students, including kids from the upper school, middle school, and even some lower schoolers, but it is also important for the students to get to know them. In order to help Saint Stephen’s get to know its new teachers better, The Gauntlet spent a little time with each of them, asking them a few key questions about themselves.

Miss Brotherton – Upper school Spanish

Q: What do you think of Saint Stephen’s?
A: I’ve already been enjoying my time at Saint Stephen’s. The community is wonderfully supportive. It’s great being with such interesting, hard-working colleagues, and of course, it’s been wonderful getting to know my students and the classes; and, to have really hard-working, imaginative, creative students! Obviously, I love the weather here, because I’m from Boston, so I’m really enjoying all the sunshine and the nice weather. I’m really excited to be here this year, and I’m really looking forward to all the wonderful things here at Saint Stephen’s.

Q: What do you want everyone here to know about you?
A: I guess I’d like them to know that I’m always willing to talk about anything, whether it’s having to do with class or not, whether anyone has a question or an idea. Obviously what’s wonderful about working with Spanish is that you can incorporate a lot of different topics. You can learn about something in Spanish. And so, if there’s ever an interest that someone really wants to bring to class or any kind of project to do between classes, I think that’d be really exciting. In terms of my personal self, obviously I’d like them to know that I’m very excited about Spanish. I love Spanish, and I love to talk about Spanish, but I also used to work in music, so it’s always kind of fun to talk to other people about what their creative interests are and to incorporate music into the classroom. And again, I’d just like them to know that I’m very interested in incorporating as many different topics and real life scenarios into the classroom, and I’m very excited to incorporate things in an interdisciplinary way.

Q: If you were to get rid of one US state, which would it be and why?
A: So I’d say if one state could leave the United States, I think we could let Vermont finally join Canada, just because they’ve got their own thing going, they’ve got their own idea of what they want, and I think they’ve wanted to join Canada for a while, so we’ll just let them do their own thing and be free – with all their cows.

Mr. Ruemenapp – Upper school Social Studies

Q: What do you think of Saint Stephen’s?
A: Saint Stephen’s seems to be an unbelievably good academic school. In the first two weeks that I’ve spent here, it has very favorably compared to other schools that I’ve been at in Florida and other schools I’ve been around the country. And going to chapel services and some of the other all school services, there also seems to be a great spirit involved in the school, and as a basketball coach, I’m really looking forward to tapping into that spirit. Certainly as a teacher I enjoy the exceptional academics that I’ve found in my classes thus far.

Q: What do you want everyone here to know about you?
A: I think I’d like people to know that I am a really hard worker, somebody that would do anything to help his students succeed, somebody that is really going to try to build an inspiration not only in the classroom, but also on the basketball court. I’d just like to make sure that everybody is understanding that we’re all working together to try to accomplish as much academically and athletically as we possibly can.

Q: A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
A: Okay, the penguin walks in wearing a sombrero. I’m going to be pretty confused about what’s going on there, but I’m going to assume this is somebody that’s looking for a history education, and I’m gonna teach him up as best as I possibly can. And they are welcome to come into class and learn all they possibly can and maybe even teach some of my history classes, the meaning of some places around the world, because obviously if it’s a penguin wearing a sombrero, it’s one that’s gotten around, and it could offer a lot of geographical and other knowledge that it could impart to students, so we’ll teach and learn together; penguins, sombreros, students, and all.

Mrs. Johnson – learning specialist

Q: What do you think of Saint Stephen’s?
A: So I think so far the best thing about this school is just how kind and genuine everyone has been, from the teachers when I first came in, the first new teacher week, to the students that I’ve met. Everyone has really just been so sweet and so kind and welcoming. I also love the campus. I love walking around to the different buildings and seeing all the trees and enjoying the sunshine, and I also really have enjoyed seeing the little kids throughout the day. I spend most of my days working with middle schoolers and upper school students, but I love to see those little kids. They make me smile, so if I’m feeling stressed out, I just go look at them, and I love that opportunity.

Q: What do you want everyone here to know about you?
A: So I guess what I would want students and teacher at the school to know is that I’m here to work with them and to help, and I’m very friendly and welcoming, and I want to be a support and help to everyone. So I guess I would want them to know that, don’t be shy, come up and talk to me, come up and ask me for help. And if you see me around, say hi. Make sure I can know your name, so I can get to know everyone better.

Q: You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
A: So I guess I would say, since I can’t give it away, and I can’t sell it, I guess I have to adopt it. So I would bring it back to my house and hope it gets along with my dog and let it hang out in the pool and run around in the yard. What else are you supposed to do? You have to keep it! I have no idea.

Don’t forget to welcome these new teachers to the school and make them feel like a part of the Saint Stephen’s family. Introduce yourself and make their job just a little bit easier.