BY MARIEL FALK

Every September MHS students return to the same hallways, faces and classrooms. It’s as if the school had been frozen for the summer and thawed out just as people streamed through the familiar glass doors.

Despite the similarities from year to year, it’s important for MHS to recognize that with each new year, the school continues to evolve, and our community continues to grow. One aspect of the high school that changes annually is the addition of new teachers. The majority of the teachers this school year are returning faculty, but there are also a few brand new educators who have a lot of potential and personality to bring to MHS.

Robert Adams is the newest addition to the MHS guidance counselor team, following an eight year career at the Southern Westchester BOCES school. He was a guidance counselor at its “alternative” high school, focusing on helping students who struggled academically or had family problems or difficulties fitting in.

As part of his job at BOCES, Adams visited many other high schools to observe and learn from other guidance counselors. The counselors at MHS particularly stuck out to him because of their ability to work together. He’s observed that the difference between MHS and BOCES can be found in the culture and community feel that MHS has. He is ecstatic at the opportunity to be a Mamaroneck Tiger and looks forward to cheering for sports teams that the whole student body supports.

Although MHS is a significant change for Adams, he still holds the same theories about counseling the students as he did at BOCES. He remarks, “Counseling is counseling, whether it’s a kid aspiring to go to Harvard or a student struggling to graduate high school.” This positive and accepting perspective has already given Adams a reputation for warmth in the counseling department. He’s an outgoing, cheerful man, willing to do everything in his power to facilitate his students’ journey through the tumultuous years of high school.

James Cunningham has also joined the ranks of new faculty at MHS as a biology teacher. Before MHS, Cunningham taught at Arlington High School and Brewster High School. He knows that Mamaroneck High School will be an exciting next chapter of his career. Cunningham has always been interested in the subject, majoring in biology at Lafayette College, and he dreams of piquing his students’ interest in the biology course. With regard to his expectations of the school year, he notes, “I look forward to working with my students this year, and hopefully inspiring them to look at biology from a perspective they had not considered in the past.” Cunningham is excited to meet all of the staff, students and parents at MHS; he’s already noticed the creativity and drive that characterize many MHS students. Cunningham also wants to bring his own flavor to the MHS community, through his unique teaching and friendly interactions with students. He’s always willing to talk more about his experiences and favorite subjects: biology and the New York Yankees.

Another exciting addition to the school this year is Annamarie Revel-Davis, a global history teacher. Her prior teaching experience includes working at Alexander Hamilton High School, Horace Greeley High School, and the High School of Economics and Finance. Revel-Davis already feels welcomed and comfortable and is pleasantly surprised by her students’ motivation and willingness to learn. As an avid traveler, Revel-Davis has always had a passion for world history and other fascinating cultures. She describes MHS as having a “culture of success” and recognizes how everyone at the school helps and supports each other. Revel-Davis cannot wait to make frequent appearances at PACE shows and to serve as the advisor for the Model Supreme Court. She is especially excited to work with the other Social Studies teachers. She explains, “In the short time that I have had with them, they have motivated me with their enthusiasm and commitment. I strive to create more lessons that are stimulating and engaging for the students.”

These fine educators are poised to add enthusiasm and skill to their respective departments, and MHS is lucky to have them.

MHS is also happy to welcome Adam Rizzuti, Elena Elmoznino, Zachary Moore, Allison Parsley, Michael Kucic, Eric Rinaldi, Sophia Andrews, Jessica Swart, Pam Burke and Ann Rushe to the school. Their profiles will be featured in future issues of The Globe.