After eight years of teaching Freshman Seminar, Michelle Waire takes on a new role this school year as an English teacher at the Regional.
“I’m definitely ready for a change and am excited to start something fresh and new again,” said Waire. “Teaching English has always been my first love and was always my strongest subject.”
Waire teaches two English 10 CPA classes, one English 10 Honors class, and one New Literature CPA class.
“She [Waire] is one of those people who when you see her teach you think ‘she was born to do this,’” said English Department Head Lynn Leschke. “Teaching definitely comes naturally to her.”
English teacher Kimberly Reeser said she has shared a workroom with Waire for the past six years.
“I do think switching from Freshman Seminar is a big change, but with teaching English, it allows a lot of free choice. She’s definitely ready for a change, and isn’t afraid to ask questions,” said Reeser.
Waire said she needs to adjust to seeing familiar faces in her classes.
“It’s been going great so far. It’s crazy to have old students from previous years. They are older and more mature now,” said Waire.
Sophomore Tèa Morini said she enjoyed not only Waire’s Freshman Seminar classwork, but also the environment Waire created.
“Her class was definitely a break from academics, and I loved how she was always there if I just needed to talk,” said Morini.
Senior Catherine Brigham agreed.
“She was very supportive of everything we were going through,” said Brigham.
Brigham says she believes that Waire will continue to bring her warm teaching style to her new subject.
“I think she can handle moving from Seminar to English. I remembered how sweet she was,” said Brigham. “She was the type of person you could talk to if you were ever struggling with something.”
Although her decision meant leaving Freshman Seminar behind, the impression and connections she continues to forge with students will continue in her new position.
“I had Ms.Waire for Freshman Seminar. She was probably one of my favorite teachers freshman year. She was really there when I needed her, especially during hybrid,” said senior Gabby Serafin. “She definitely had a big impact on me.”
