This year, several of Kingsway’s teachers are retiring, including Laura Reynolds, Laura Fiorentino, Wendy Young, Donna Carpenter, and Sean Dunn.

Each of the teachers were interviewed regarding their experiences at Kingsway.

Laura Reynolds

Ms. Reynolds has been a mathematics teacher at Kingsway for 26 years.

Q: What was your favorite memory of teaching here?

A: I am not sure if I have a favorite specific memory, but my favorite time was when my children were students in the district and I would see them and all of their friends that I had known since they were in elementary school come through the high school. It was a fun time seeing them in a different environment and being able to work with them on activities and lessons. Since I knew most of them already, it made the transition at the beginning of the year so much easier to get to know everyone since I already knew so many. It also made graduation super special when I was able to award each of my children their diplomas.

Q: What advice can you give to future teachers?

A: I would tell everyone entering teaching to get involved with activities, clubs, sports, the union – anything that they feel passionate about. It helps you to be more connected to your students and colleagues. When things get difficult, be sure to take time for yourself and don’t worry so much about all the little things. Those things will work themselves out in the end. Remember that students and co-workers won’t remember all of specific things that happened in your classroom and the hallways, but they will remember how they felt when you were around and how you would help or make them feel better.

Wendy Young

Ms. Young has been a physics teacher at Kingsway for 33 years.

Q: What was your favorite memory of teaching here?

A: While I cannot single out one specific event, many of my favorite memories involved getting to know the students through their extra-curricular activities. Early in my career, I would often chaperone dances and could be found in the “shoe room” at homecoming. I have made it my goal to try to attend at least one game for every sport throughout each of the three seasons and every theatrical performance I could manage. We have an amazing group of talented individuals here at Kingsway and that talent goes far beyond the classroom.

Q: What advice can you give to future teachers?

A: I would give future teachers the same advice I have given my freshman students, strive to find a work/school/extra-curricular/home balance and become part of the Kingsway school community in as many ways as you can.

Donna Carpenter

Ms. Carpenter has been an AP English Literature teacher at Kingsway for 20 years.

Q: What was your favorite memory of teaching here?

A: I love how, year after year, my students have embraced the struggle of peeling back the layers of beautiful and complex literature with me. Time and again, they have taught me new and refreshing ways to look at the world. I am grateful for that!

Q: What advice can you give to future teachers?

A: Give students the freedom to rise to intellectual challenges. They always will!

Laura Fiorentino

Ms. Fiorentino has been teaching Literature, Creative Writing and Film Studies at Kingsway for 19 years.

Q: What was your favorite memory of teaching here?

A: My favorite memories of Kingsway involve the Homecoming preparations of years past. I would marvel at the time and creative effort students would place in extravagantly decorating the hallways and the gyms, after weeks of after-school prop building and planning. My own children were once involved with the events, so I saw (close-up) how hard the students worked to make the events memorable, and how club acquaintances became friends through the process. Then, Ms. Lauren Tunnat and the Student Reps would use any profits from events like this to purchase Christmas toys and presents for local families experiencing hard times. Just before the holidays, the students would “play Santa,” and discreetly, deliver those gifts to their doorsteps. Beautiful!

Q: What advice can you give to future teachers?

A: The best and truest piece of advice I received as a teacher came in the form of a quote by William Butler Yeats, a 20th century Irish poet, dramatist and writer. He said: “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” I encourage future teachers to embrace this philosophy — try your best to excite your students, about the content, about the ideas, and about the possibilities and opportunities that arise from things well-learned. Inspire passion for your content and demonstrate a sense of ‘can-do’ faith in your students.

Michael Sean Dunn

Mr. Dunn has been teaching AP and Honors World History at Kingsway for 25 years.

Q: What was your favorite memory of teaching here?

A: Starting the Lacrosse Program and starting the AP World History Program.

Q: What advice can you give to future teachers?

A: Be flexible with your students and listen to them. We have so many diverse kids with diverse backgrounds… that can’t be taught with a blanket approach.