As students and faculty returned from winter break on Jan. 2, Communications High School (CHS) welcomed three temporary staff members into their community: Cailee Dobias, Harrison Strevens and Carly Fama.
While incoming principal Emily Bonilla’s arrival has received warm welcomes, Dobias, Strevens and Fama have found themselves in the CHS limelight after their first few weeks of teaching. Although Fama’s tentative tenure is due to short-term surgery, Strevens and Dobias are prepared for a longer stay due to multiple teachers’ maternity leaves.
Cailee Dobias, filling in for English teacher Emily Soto, recalls how excited, yet nervous she was when beginning her first day at CHS.
“I definitely had some first day jitters,” Dobias said. “It happens for everybody, students and teachers.”
Although these teachers may have felt some initial worries, Harrison Strevens, taking the place of Fitness and Health teacher Madison Gibson, explained that the students’ welcoming attitude made adapting to this position more simple.
“The biggest thing for me is how considerate [CHS students] are,” Strevens said. “In emails, they always say ‘sorry to bother you’ or ‘is it okay if’ and it feels like there is level of respect here.”
Luckily for Strevens, the feeling is mutual from the students. Junior Brody Lippincott of Wall believes Strevens’ addition to the staff has been beneficial, going as far as to compare his positive presence to retired Fitness instructor Ginny Clevenger.
“[Strevens] fits in well to the CHS staff,” Lippincott said. “He reminds me of the hominess of Clev.”
Working alongside Fitness and Health teacher Jennifer Baldaccini, Strevens hopes to continue his involvement in the CHS community. CHS students continue to impress teachers both in the classroom and through their innate, unique abilities. Dobias made sure to explain the talent and individuality present throughout the school.
“What makes CHS unique is the diversity of the student body,” Dobias said. “I see tons of creativity and amazing things coming out of the students everyday.”
Unlike Strevens and Dobias, Carly Fama, temporarily filling in for Communications Technology, Photography and Graphic Arts teacher Amanda FitzPatrick, began her time at CHS prior to winter break. Although FitzPatrick’s imminent return is approaching, Fama values the time she has spent with her new students and all it has taught her.
“My favorite thing so far [at CHS] has been doing three different classes for three different grades,” Fama said. “You get a taste for all different levels, and it’s really been a great experience.”
As the newest staff members continue to grow more comfortable within this environment, they emphasized how they are looking forward to taking part in upcoming CHS traditions and events. For Strevens, he’s hoping for something even more exciting.
“I would love to see what’s going on with the Winter Ball,” Strevens said. “I’m hoping that Ryan Gosling shows up.”
The Winter Ball was hosted by the CHS sophomore class on Friday, Jan. 26. Ryan Gosling, in fact, did not show up.
