Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: I have taught biology, chemistry, and this year I’ll be teaching physiology for the first time. I have a wife and two kids. My sons are Ezekiel and Titus. Ezekiel is 10, and Titus is six, and me and my wife just had our 15th anniversary in August.

Q: Why and when did you choose to work at Granite Bay? 

A:  Since about 2015, me and my wife had planned on coming up to the Sacramento suburbs. And it just so happened in 2020, when the pandemic was going on and everything was crazy, there was an opening that I applied for here at Granite Bay. And it was great, because we really wanted to live in Folsom, my wife loves Folsom, and so this being the closest High School made it just ideal. And so started teaching here in the midst of the pandemic, and the students here have been super great and super welcoming. The staff has been awesome. They’ve really supported me during learning how to navigate Granite Bay, and then even with some personal things that went on in my life with my mom passing away, the staff was really there for me and really supported me. So my overall experience from that time has been great. And then last year, unfortunately, I was transferred to Antelope because we had too many science teachers. I was really heartbroken that I had to leave the Granite Bay family. But luckily, we had someone who left the school over the summer, and I was able to come back and fill that position. And I’m here, and I’m here to stay. 

Q: Why did you choose to teach bio?

A:  I had an amazing physiology teacher that I loved. I went to his class and just got to see that he kind of did teaching his own way. And I realized that a lot of careers are very formulaic. So I realized that education, you’re teaching the same thing as the other bio teachers, but I put my own flavor on it. I get to be myself in front of the class. And that’s really what drew me to teaching, because I wanted to have something where I could have my own personality on display. So senior year high school, I decided that’s what I wanted to do. 

Q: What do you like most about Granite Bay?

A:  I like the kindness. I really feel like there’s a lot of kindness amongst students and amongst staff, and just a lot of unity. And it really does feel like a family, it feels like a Granite Bay family that I have here that’s welcoming and open and just a fun place to be.

Q: Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

A: If I don’t remember your name, I apologize. But don’t dare you think that I have forgotten who you are or that you are in my class.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

A: I am a new teacher here. I started off as a student teacher with Mrs. Kunst, and it was awesome. I learned a lot, and was lucky to get a job here, and I’m very happy to be here. I am the basketball coach as well. I coach JV basketball, and I love it. It’s my passion, and I can’t wait for this season.

Q: How was the transition from being a student teacher to a teacher?

A: There’s definitely still a lot of new things to learn, lot of growth that’s happening. You learn how to you just get to know more students, and you know different different types of people from different backgrounds, and you learn how to work with them, and you learn how to give them what they need to succeed

Q: Why did you choose to teach math?

A: I always wanted to teach math since I decided to be a teacher, and I think it has goes back to my own experience in math as a student. I had teachers that I responded really well to that helped me a lot in my life. And I also had teachers that I think set a negative example, and I also learned from that, and that, you know, also drives me to just provide students with a great math experience. And so that’s just where my passion comes from. 

Q: What has been your favorite part of Granite Bay so far?

A:The culture and the community, lots of great people, my coworkers in the teaching department are all awesome, and all the students have been super nice and welcoming as well and just ready to work hard. So it’s been, it’s been a great time being here.

Q: Is there anything else you would like people to know?

A: Just happy to be here. Super excited to be a grizzly. 

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: I grew up moving around a lot including living in Italy and Australia, but I ended up graduating from Oakmont High School here in Roseville, so I’m kind of native to the area. I normally teach at Oakmont, but I will teach one physics class at Granite Bay in the spring this year. Over at Oakmont, I teach IB Physics as well as NGSS Physics, but I will only be teaching NGSS Physics at GBHS this year. My favorite hobby is definitely soccer. I have played, watched, and coached soccer. In fact, Mr. Broers was my varsity soccer coach back when I was in high school! I also enjoy cooking, traveling, video games, and working on cars. My wife is also a science teacher, and we just gave birth to our first child back in March. My daughter basically takes all my free time away now, but she brings me so much joy.

Q: Why did you decide to work at Granite Bay?

A:The reason why I am teaching at Granite Bay is complicated. I have been teaching in the district at Oakmont for the last 8 years, but Oakmont has been struggling with declining enrollment numbers since the opening of West Park. Back in 2021, the district asked me to teach a physics class at Granite Bay. It was a fun experience and the students and culture are excellent at GBHS! This year, they asked me if I would be willing to voluntarily teach a class at GBHS. After my positive experience last time, I happily said yes. Granite Bay is such a fantastic school and I look forward to working with the students there. As an Oakmont grad and teacher, I feel like Oakmont is my home, but Granite Bay feels like my second home. 

Q: What is it like teaching at two different schools?

A: Teaching at two schools is interesting. I am very glad that Oakmont and Granite Bay are not very far apart, so the drive isn’t too bad! It is a little hectic having to set up a lab at Oakmont and then rush over to Granite Bay to set up the same lab a second time, but I make it happen. I get a little stipend for the drive and I get to drive over during third period. In general, there is a little bit of a socioeconomic difference between the two student bodies. It is cool to be able to experience those differences and learn from them as well. Both schools have strengths and weaknesses, but generally they are both amazing!

Q: Is there anything else you would like people to know?

A:  I’m just excited to return to Granite Bay this year and teach another class. It was such a positive experience in 2021, and I’m looking forward to having another fun time.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself

A: I’ve been a teacher for 27 years. And coaching in a school setting for… 33 years. I am married with two sons. I’m coaching football here and possibly baseball. 

Q: Why and when did you choose to start teaching at Granite Bay?

A: I’ve known Coach Cattolico for several years. And ever since we both got into education, we’ve always tried to potentially be at the same school. And so him being here and an opportunity opening that fit both my credentials.. It really fit. 

Q: What do you like most about teaching

A: I like seeing kids after high school. Like where they were in school and what they’ve become. And not necessarily from my class, or my teaching but just seeing their growth. And then also being a part of that as they go through the four years here. It’s fun, I enjoy doing it, but I also like seeing the product. 

Q: Can you tell us about your golf charity?

A: I run a golf tournament that benefits pancreatic cancer research. It’s the sixteenth year that we’re doing it, me and my wife run it. Both my parents died because of pancreatic cancer so that’s why we’re doing it. We give all the money to the Hirshberg foundation for pancreatic cancer research, and I think we’ve made 110,00 over the years we’ve done it. We host it every October, so we’re gearing up for it as we speak.

Q: Is there anything else you would like us to know? 

A: I’m super excited to be here. The students are great, the faculty is great, the environment is great. And even though I’m 6 weeks in, I feel like I’m already fit in.