Introduction: New Dons

When you were in high school did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

Dunfey:
I definitely didn’t know I would become a teacher. I loved math and science. I didn’t really enjoy reading until tenth grade.

Jan:
No. I knew I wanted to do psychology but I didn’t know I wanted to be a school counselor.

Ho:
No I never really thought about teaching.

Davos:
No, I thought about teaching, but I knew I wanted to be in a helping profession.

Mayers:
I did not know that I would become a teacher.

Why did you want to become a teacher?

Dunfey:
I used to be a sailing instructor and I used to have white board mini lessons. I guess that’s where I caught the teaching bug.

Jan:
In high school I had friends with issues at home who needed counseling. I knew there was a big need for support staff. And I didn’t like being a teacher.

Ho:
I want to make a difference and I figured with an interest in the subject matter [of languages], teaching was a way for me to make a contribution.

Davos:
When I started nursing school and I decided that nursing wasn’t for me. I still wanted to be in a helping profession so I started in speech pathology. I started in a medical setting and then moved to an educational setting.

Mayers:
I enjoy when students use imagination and learn new things and I love to be a part of that.

What extracurricular activities did you do as a student?

Dunfey:
Tennis, Swimming, Ski Club, Environmental Club

Jan:
Interact Club, Badminton, and Orchestra

Ho:
FBLA, HRC, Math Club, Academic Decathlon

Davos:
Being a fan of my older brothers. I pretty much went to all of my older brother’s football games. Also, I did CSF. I had nerdy stuff.

Mayers:
I was a bull-doggy (a person who cheers in the football games). Otherwise I did nerdy things.

What is your most memorable high school experience?

Dunfey: The Dances. We had a Christmas ball and I was always a good dancer.

Jan: Having a free fifth period and meeting new people in the library.

Ho: When I won a national high school essay contest among 5,000 students. The principal even came to congratulate me.

Davos: I had the most fun going to football games to watch my bother and meet new friends.

Mayers: When my English teacher read my essay to the class.

What is your favorite part of the subject you teach?

Dunfey: Analyzing the people and themes of the stories we read.

Jan: Talking to people. I really like talking to students and getting to know them.

Ho: Being able to express yourself in another language. I think it is fascinating to be able to express yourself in a different way.

Davos: Opening up students to help them to communicate more efficiently because learning to speak is the key to success in our world.

Mayers: When students go beyond my expectations.

Do you follow any sports teams?

Dunfey: The Boston Redsox, New England Patriots, and Boston College Eagles

Jan: No

Ho: The Kings off and on. I’m kind of a passive watcher of the Giants because my family members watch them.

Davos: I kind of follow the Giants and the 49ers.

Mayers: The Giants and the Sharks

Do you have any hobbies outside of school?

Dunfey: Kite surfing and photography. I used to do painting but now I don’t have time. Also, I do yoga.

Jan: My favorite thing to do is cooking. I love to eat.

Ho: I like to read, I’ll play video games, and I like to watch movies.

Davos: I love gardening. I’m a very avid Gardener.

Mayers: I like biking. I bike about 26 miles on weekends.

What is your favorite genre of music?

Dunfey: Indie. I really like singer-songwriters. Jamie Cullum, John Mayor, John Butler Trio.

Jan: My favorite band is Muse.

Ho: Pop, the top 40.

Davos: Rock and Roll. I went to high school in the ‘70s. It is all about Rock and Roll

Mayers: I like Jazz. Though I listen to hip-hop, too.

If you were any character from Toy Story who would you be and why?

Dunfey: Woody because he’s an organizer. He keeps other people in mind and he is emotional.

Jan: Mrs. Potato head because I’ve been with my significant other for a long time and we act like the old married couple.

Ho: Mr. Potato head. He and his wife are the ones who are always worried. They are planners and conscientious. They are kind of nerdy and that is kind of how I see myself.

Davos: Jessie. People think I’m perky and I am kind of loud and enthusiastic, so I think I’m like her.

Mayers: I don’t really know Toy Story well enough. But I like the cowboy. He has a cute hat and a nice smile.

If you had a super power, what would it be and why?

Dunfey: I would want to fly. Maybe it’s because in my dreams I fly.

Jan: Freeze time so I could sleep in.

Ho: I would create a copy of myself so I could stay home and have my copy do the work I didn’t want to do.

Davos: I’d like to read people’s thoughts because I like to wonder about what people are thinking and how their minds work.

Mayers: I would like to be fast only because I’m slowing down. You know those vampire movies where the vampires move really fast? I want to be like that. I want to get things done, be a speed reader, and all of that.

Gallery of Photos by Kore Chan