At the start of the year, people saw hundreds of unfamiliar faces in the hallways, 14 of them belonging to teachers. During the summer, around 20 teachers either retired from their teaching positions or transferred to different schools. As for the new teachers, the majority moved from neighboring districts, but others came from all around the world.
“I came from Alvarado High School and I’ve been teaching for 22 years,” Angela Curry, Algebra 2 and Pre-Cal teacher, said. “Seven of those years were in England.”
The other new additions to the math department include Chad Dozier, Jessica Watson, Katie Neal and Bonita Denge. Dr. Beau Abernathy and Bryan Dibley were brought in for English. For many of these educators, the reason that they pursued a teaching career, was because of a teacher that they themselves once had.
“Mr. Rusty Powers was the greatest teacher that I ever had,” said Michael Keel, AP US History and Economics teacher. “He made me want to learn, instead of making me learn.”
Keel isn’t the only new history teacher though, Jodi Esaili and James Smelley have been added recently as well. Jerry Wyatt, Jonathan Szostek and Sam Snyder became part of the science department, as well as Donna Kercher. The teachers look forward to the rest of the year and years that follow.
“I have really enjoyed my first [few] weeks at Legacy,” said Kercher. “It won’t be long before I can say that Legacy is my favorite.”
Angela Curry- Algebra 2/ Pre-Cal
Angela Curry came from Alvarado High and has been teaching 22 years.
Chad Dozier- Geometry
Jessica Watson- Algebra 1/ PAP Algebra 2
Katie Neal- Algebra 1 and 2
Bonita Denge- Math Models/ Algebra 1
Dr. Beau Abernathy- ESL
Bryan Dibley- English 1
Michael Keel- AP US History/ Economics
Michael Keel came from Beaumont West Brook and has been teaching for 12 years.
Jodi Esaili- Human Geography/ World Geography
Jodi Esaili came from Red Oak High and has been teaching 16 years.
James Smelley- World Geography/ Economics
James Smelley came from Summit High and has been teaching 32 years.
Jerry Wyatt- Physics/ Astronomy
Jonathan Szostek- Chemistry (On level, PAP, AP)
Sam Snyder- IPC
Donna Kercher- Biology
Donna Kercher came from Wester Middle School and has been teaching for 16 years.
