New Teachers at KHS

Arwa Ouali
October 6, 2022

With the beginning of a new year comes new educators ready to start this school year. While many teachers retired, many more have come to take their places and continue the dedication to the education of all students. I had a chance to interview some of them about their background and current experience. Their responses are below.

 

Linda Miragliotta- Math Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I’ve taught in a few different districts, the most recent was at American History High School in Newark where I was teaching AP® Calculus and Statistics to seniors.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

Modern Math and Probability & Statistics 

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

I love being at KHS!  The students are great, and there’s a wonderful collaborative community (and I love working in a building with air-conditioning).

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

I hope to make math accessible and help students understand that there are many paths that lead to the correct answer.  Learning means making mistakes to learn from, and students need to be brave and take risks to try [to] answer questions and find solutions to problems.  Every problem is an opportunity to generate better solutions.  I also like to be part of launching students into the world.

 

Emilee Marshall- Business Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

This is my first year teaching! 

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I am in the business department and teach Freshman Seminar and Introduction to Computer Science.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

I have loved every second of being back at KHS. I graduated from KHS so it’s really nice to be back! 

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

While here at KHS I want to create a learning environment that welcomes all students and encourages them to not only learn but also have a safe space.

 

Otmane El Ghaydouni- Language Arts Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

Before KHS, I taught ESL at LMS. 

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I am teaching ESL as well at KHS. 

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

As far as my experience here at KHS, I would say it has been fabulous so far. I love it here. I love the diversity; it’s just amazing. 

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

My #1 goal would be helping my ESL students master English, so they can achieve their dreams and succeed academically and socially. I would also love to be an amazing teacher here at KHS and do a great job. 🙂  

 

Lissette Gomez- World Language Teacher: Spanish

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I have taught Spanish in Kearny since the 2006-2007 school year, and I have taught every grade K-8, and I am currently at the High School level. At these different stages I have been part of the staff of every single school in the district. 

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

Currently I continue teaching Spanish.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

My experience at KHS has been very positive so far. Although it is an adjustment, and I still miss everyone at Lincoln Middle School where I was teaching for a few years.

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

I would like to have continuity in my teaching this year, and see students improving their skills in speaking, writing and interpreting the language. I would also love to be able to host and promote cultural activities.

 

Danny Conde- Performing and Visual Arts Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I was teaching at Harrison High School for 6yrs as the Band Director.  I taught Band, Marching Band, and Music Theory.  I was also involved with the Technology Club as well as the Musical Drama Club as their Music Director.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I am teaching Concert Band, Music Theory and Freshmen Seminar

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

Wonderful!  I graduated from KHS, and during sophomore year I said to myself that one day I will be the Band Director at KHS. Years later I accomplished my life goal.

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

To grow the band program and take the concert band to band competitions!

 

Michael O-Neil- Social Studies Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I had been teaching US History I for 7th and 8th grade students in Lincoln Middle School for about 8 years.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I am currently teaching World Cultures and US History II.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

My experience at KHS has been great so far! Since I had started my career here in KHS it is nice to be back and working with everyone here.

  1. What goals do you with to accomplish at KHS?

My goal here at KHS is to give my students the best education I can and give them skills that they can take into their adult lives and become as successful as they wish. My own personal goal is to learn as much as I can from the administrators as I plan to be an administrator in the coming years.

 

Ryan Miller- Performing and Visual Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

Before teaching at KHS, I had experience leading lessons in an English class as a graduate student at Quinnipiac University. I also taught at Seton Hall University last spring in a Public Speaking class.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I am teaching three courses this year. Intro to Radio and Television Industries, Broadcast Journalism, and Audio and Video Production.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

My time at KHS so far has been very informative. The staff has helped me get acclimated to my new environment and I am excited to see what projects my students accomplish this school year.

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

I am hoping to grow the broadcasting department. With some new equipment and curriculum this year, I hope that the program keeps students coming back and attracts new ones to join as well. I want to see students produce talk shows about topics they are interested in, and I can’t wait to see them have the opportunity to interview the staff and their peers on all their many talents and successes.

 

Krystina McGee- Science Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

Since 2014, I have taught at the Newark Boys Chorus School in Newark NJ teaching grades 4-8. I was the only science teacher in the school and taught various areas of science- bio, chem, physical, earth & space. I was allowed to explore my other areas of interest and also taught art, phys ed/health, and social studies. 

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

At KHS I now teach 10th grade Biology.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

I have had an amazing experience at KHS so far. The staff has been extremely welcoming, friendly, and helpful. The students in my classes have been wonderful and have made the adjustment from middle to high school very easy for me (I might even like high school more!) 

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

At KHS, my goal is that every student I have the pleasure of teaching develops a love of learning, curiosity for the sciences, and a life-long interest in understanding the world around them. 

 

Timothy Firth- Science Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

This is my 15th year teaching in the Kearny School District. My first 6 years were spent teaching 7th grade science at Franklin School. I moved to Lincoln when the middle school opened and have been teaching 7th grade science there for the last 8 years. 

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I have 2 sections of Earth and the Environment and 3 sections of Physical Science.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

The coworkers in my department have been incredibly kind and understanding of my situation and I am grateful for their help and support. 

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

One of my goals as an educator is to provide an enjoyable and educational science experience.  Regardless of the age group I want my students to walk away from class satisfied and looking forward to what’s next. 

 

Leo Wiener- Language Arts Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I was a teacher at Schuyler School for 3 years and before that I was a teacher at KHS for 8 years.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

As a senior English teacher, my seniors have ambition and interest in their futures and I am glad to see that spark for themselves. I have confidence in the future because of the young people who have ambitions and are interested in a career to bolster their community. 

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

I had one of the nicest welcomes back as he used to teach at KHS before moving to Schuyler School and returning back. The teachers at KHS are some of the best people I have ever worked with since they truly care for their students.  Mr. Wiener is the advisor to the poetry club.

 

Kiomarylis Garcia-Estrella- World Languages Teacher: Spanish

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

Prior to working at KHS, I was a long-term substitute teacher in ‘21-22. I covered a Pre-K class for two months at Garfield School in Kearny, and Spanish classes at KHS from December to June. Before being a substitute I was a teacher’s aide, also at Garfield School, for 9 years.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I currently teach Spanish 1, Spanish 2, and Spanish for Natives 2.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

Being at Kearny High School has been an adjustment, mostly going from teaching elementary to secondary education. I have enjoyed the journey and look forward to many more years here though.

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish at KHS?

Honestly, at the moment, my main goal is to survive high school a second time.  

 

Nadia Rattley – Math Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I was teaching 8th grade mathematics at Lincoln Middle School in Kearny.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

At Kearny High School, I am teaching Algebra 2 and Geometry.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

My experience has been wonderful. Everyone is welcoming and I have a great co-teacher Dave Mullen.

  1. What goal do you wish to accomplish at KHS? 

I hope to teach in Kearny for a very long time, and show students how exciting math can be!

 

Michael Fernandes- Athletic Trainer

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

Before KHS, I was working at Jefferson Township High School as an Athletic Trainer. 

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

Here at KHS, I will also be working as an Athletic Trainer.  Athletic trainers assist student-athletes in preparing for upcoming games/competitions. This includes evaluating an athlete if they were injured, providing physical therapy exercises to improve injury and taping/wrapping injured areas to prevent re-injury and allow the athlete to perform at the highest level. My position is to help assist student-athletes in order for them to be the best version of themselves on and off the field and as well as be a mediator between coaches, parents and the student-athletes.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

My experience at KHS has been amazing. Not many people have the opportunity to work where they graduated from and I have been fortunate enough to do so.  Kearny high school left a major positive impact on my life and I hope to be able to return the favor for present and future students.

  1. What goal do you wish to accomplish at KHS? 

My primary goal is to provide education in injury prevention, nutrition, and strength training.  I want to be able to provide the information needed on how to properly care for your health as well as education on how to improve mentally and physically.  The end goal would be for student-athletes to be able to graduate from KHS with the knowledge and tools on how to live a good and active lifestyle and maintain that balance.

Stephanie Fortuna – Language Arts Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

I was teaching middle school in Paterson before coming to Kearny High School. I have been teaching for 10 years now, always in the area of English and Literature. I grew up in the Harrison/Kearny area during my own high school years, so it is an honor to be a teacher at Kearny High School now.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

Bilingual English Language Arts as I am fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

Being I start November 1st, I am anticipating a positive school year.

  1. What goal do you wish to accomplish at KHS? 

Studying ELA in two languages can be a challenge, as I too grew up in a dual language home; I would say my goal is to help my students succeed in the subject as well as feel confident they are prepared for what’s next. Other goals would be to get to know the teachers, staff, and students while helping in any area I can.

 

Antonio Infante – Math Teacher

  1. Where have you been teaching before Kearny High School? If you had been teaching previously, what subject were you teaching?

Before coming to Kearny High School, I taught at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School in Jersey City. I have taught Algebra 1 Honors, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors, Algebra 2/Precalculus, and Precalculus at McNair. I taught there for more than 6 years. Before teaching at McNair, I taught 4 years at Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts in Paterson. There I taught Geometry, Algebra 2, and PreCalculus. This current academic year will be my 11th year of teaching.

  1. What subject are you now teaching?

I am currently teaching different levels of Algebra 1.

  1. How has your experience at KHS been?

I have only been here for a day, (as today is my first day), but so far everyone, including staff members and students, have been welcoming. So much effort has been made to make me feel at home, which I appreciate so much.

  1. What goal do you wish to accomplish at KHS? 

I hope to help my students become the best version of themselves. I look forward to seeing my students grow into responsible adults.

Fortunately, there are many other amazing teachers working at KHS this year that I did not have a chance to interview. 

Teacher Department
Claudia Engels Social Studies Teacher
Matthew Rosenhouse Math Teacher
Neveen Michael Performing and Visual Arts Teacher

We would like to welcome all the new teachers to KHS!