Welcome to Sherwood

by Katie Nolan ‘12, Mandy Stussman ‘14 and Paul Szewczyk ‘12

New teachers transfer from school to school each year. However, this year, Sherwood welcomes five teachers who are brand new to the profession. Christiane Lock in the English department, Ana Hernandez of the foreign language department, Allison Shafer in the art department, Marquis Bell in the technology education department, and Steven Bak in the special education department. At the beginning of the year the focus is usually on the new students who may feel nervous and overwhelmed. However, this is a chance to learn more about this year’s new teachers and better welcome them to the school!

Christiane Lock

Christiane Lock is the newest teacher to join the English department this year. She graduated from John Carroll University in Cleveland. While there, she decided to study teaching because “I like kids and I like reading books.” She decided on being a high school teacher because she feels that high school students better understand why work is assigned to them. While teaching is undoubtedly a difficult job, Lock has found a way to make her first year a bit easier.

“I don’t work full-time so it means I have extra time to grade,” said Lock. “Also, the other teachers in this department are very helpful, and the kids are polite.” Leading up to the school year, Lock was most nervous about how to make each class period interesting. So far she has found many unique ways to capture students attention. “I get ideas from other teachers and I try various things, like allowing individual work, class work and group work,” said Lock.

Ana Hernandez-Vasquez

Ana Hernandez-Vasquez, the newest Spanish teacher, is a graduate from the University of Maryland. In ninth grade Hernandez had a great relationship with her government teacher and years later, this teacher approached her and offered her a job as a Spanish teacher at a performing arts school where the teacher was the new principal. Hernandez enthusiastically agreed to become a certified teacher.

“I like being a teacher; it is something different each day,” said Hernandez. “There is different energy, responses and skill level for every class.” For Hernandez, it is sometimes difficult for her because she is also juggling graduate school. During her short time here, Hernandez has already realized that high school students are “more independent, they do not even realize you exist.”

Allison Shafer

Allison Shafer is a graduate from Towson University and the newest addition to the art department. “I love art and I feel that art is essential in a child’s life. It allows people to learn about the world in a creative way and express themselves in a way that can’t be done in other classes,” said Shafer. Her love of kids and her passion for art was a perfect mix for becoming a high school art teacher. For her, grading is the only aspect to the job that she finds difficult. “I can honestly say that grading is the hardest part, especially for art. Practice makes perfect I guess, so the more I do it the easier it should be.”

Shafer splits her time between two schools. In the afternoons she teaches at Rock Terrace School with middle school-aged students who have special needs. “I thought that working at both schools would be a great balance. I love teaching ceramics,” said Shafer. “Also, I do enjoy working with children of all ages, but working with high school is very rewarding because you can have in-depth discussions, work through problems, and I really can see the students grow.”

Marquis Bell

Marquis Bell joined the technology education department this year after graduating from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. He assists in coaching the boys’ varsity football team, already integrating into the school’s mix. Bell has been a terrific addition to the staff and greatly enjoys being part of the Sherwood community.

Bell has adapted well to his teaching role. He finds the work stimulating and intriguing rather than stressful. For Bell, teaching is simply about the students, who he has made great connections with this past month. “I love Sherwood. I love the kids here,” said Bell. “I love seeing students being pushed to their full potential. That’s why I’m here.”

Steven Bak

This year, the special education department welcomed its newest teacher, Steven Bak, who graduated from George Washington University and decided to be a teacher. “I’ve always been around high school and middle school students. I see it as an opportunity to help the students of this area,” said Bak. During the day, Bak splits his time between Lee Middle School in Silver Spring and Sherwood in the afternoons. “It is extremely hard, but I think I’m making adjustments,” said Bak. “It’s just like school still, learning to do the best you can.”

Being a new teacher in two schools can be very nerve-wracking; Bak was most nervous about the first day. “It’s like you just can’t wait; there’s a lot of anticipation,” said Bak. Though he has not spent much time here, Bak has been enjoying himself. “The hardest part is watching students who don’t take advantage of a teacher. They don’t come in for help, but it’s a great school,” said Bak.