By Charles Pan ’18

As students walk into class on the first day, whether tiny 6^th grader or hulking 8^th grader, they catch up with their friends with a grin. After greeting one another and asking how their summer has been, they’re off to their first period class. However, they are not the only ones who are going to their first classes. The new teachers of the Middle School walk into the teacher’s office. Never being here before, they don’t get as warm of a welcome as most of the other teachers because not many students know them. However, the students will learn they all have great personalities and some of their own secret facts that many people don’t know. Take a look:

Ms. Graham- 8^th Grade English Teacher and Advisor, MS Newspaper Advisor

Favorite Hobby: Reading (typical)

Favorite Food: Hmmm… I don’t have a specific food, I just like spicy food in general.

Favorite Movie: Mrs. Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Something Students Don’t Know About Her- I’m secretly from Minnesota… haha, just kidding… I know how to drive a tractor.

Student’s good qualities- They are intellectually curious and they are always willing to bring me candy.

Why NA?- The students have an attitude of learning for learning’s sake and they are interested to know more about the world.

Ms. Fitzpatrick- 7^th Grade English Teacher and Advisor

Favorite Hobby: Reading and Running (she used to be a track coach)

Favorite Food: Pizza and Sushi

Favorite Movie: The Count of Monte Cristo

Something Students Don’t Know About Her- I am actually a Peace Corps veteran from Nicaragua.

Student’s good qualities- They are very motivated, hard-working, and they are fun to teach.

Why NA?- I thought it was a good fit for my teaching style because my philosophy fits exactly with the Newark Academy philosophy.

Dr. Fall- MS French Teacher

Favorite Hobby- Reading education, mystery, and movie books

Favorite Food: Chinese Food and Jamaican Chicken

Favorite Movie- Women with Open Eyes- “I like this movie because it portrays women ‘opening their eyes’ to education.

Something Students Don’t Know About Him- I have a PhD and a double Master’s degree in teaching for over 15 years. I have taught in universities, high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.

Sports- Soccer, Basketball, Swimming

Student’s good qualities- engaged, desire to learn, seriousness about learning, curiosity, politeness, and open-minded

Why NA?- It has strong commitment to community outreach, I liked the quality of educational engagement, and the environment was inspiring, welcoming, and encouraged intellectual learning.

Mr. Bunch- Technical Theatre Teacher

Favorite Hobby- Bicycling to explore

Favorite Food- Sushi

Favorite Movie- Iron Man 1

Something Students Don’t Know About Him- Aspiring to become a Piano Player

Student’s Good Qualities- Everyone helps each other and collaborates in theater

Why NA?- I liked the culture of the community, and there were a lot of opportunities to design and collaborate with artists in theater.