Many new teachers have arrived at BMS this school year. From paraprofessionals to 8th grade math teachers, new faces have been popping up all around the building. Ashley McLeod, Alexis Aaeng, Lisa Chang, and Gina Zaleski are just four of the 13 new arrivals this year. Here is a peek into what it’s like to be a new teacher. Photos by Veronica Rodrigo.
Ashley Mcleod
“I was working at Staples High School last year, and Mrs. Lauren Francese, the social studies department chair, let me know there was a position open. I interviewed for the position and got hired in June. I love the community and the enthusiasm of the staff and students. I was very much looking forward to working with students who are excited to learn. I was also excited to focus more on social studies because at SHS I was also doing academic support. My favorite part about teaching here is coming up with creative ways to teach the material and getting to know the students and teachers! This is my second year of teaching, I teach 7th grade, and I have about 80 students.” (Veronica Rodrigo)
Alexis Aaeng
“I was working at Staples High School last year, and Mrs. Lauren Francese, the social studies department chair, let me know there was a position open. I interviewed for the position and got hired in June. I love the community and the enthusiasm of the staff and students. I was very much looking forward to working with students who are excited to learn. I was also excited to focus more on social studies because at SHS I was also doing academic support. My favorite part about teaching here is coming up with creative ways to teach the material and getting to know the students and teachers! This is my second year of teaching, I teach 7th grade, and I have about 80 students.”
Gina Zaleski
“I joined BMS in 2016, but moved to CMS as a 7th grade math teacher on the Patriot team. This year I came back to BMS as a grade 8 math and Algebra 1 teacher on the grade 8 purple team. I absolutely love teaching in Westport, and was contacted by Ms. Mellin about the open 7th grade math teacher position in 2016. I previously taught at a science technology magnet school in Meriden, Connecticut, for 14 years and was ready for a new challenge,” says Ms. Zaleski. I have been teaching math for almost 20 years! I have about 70 students, and my team does not have a pod. We are in classrooms along the second floor. The staff is welcoming, helpful and professional and they are passionate about the subjects and students they teach.”
Lisa Chang
I Googled available teacher positions, and this job showed up. I interviewed for the Math teaching position in August. I then gave a demo lesson during 2 rounds of interviews. Students are definitely making my BMS experience enjoyable so far. I was hired mid-August, but started mid-September because my old school needed to find a replacement for me. I wanted to teach at BMS because I know it is a good school. This is my 17th year of teaching, and since I taught 7th grade for 16 of those years, I was unsure about how I’d like 8th grade, but I’m loving it! I teach 8th grade math, have about 86 students, and I am in pod 120.”
