The hallways this year are filled with new faculty and staff members who, hopefully, will bring positivity and a fresh outlook to the school and its students. For anyone wanting to get to know  the new staff, remember to step up and start the conversation.

It is definitely not easy to step out of one’s comfort zone and start all over, so a few of the newest Falcon teachers share some fun facts about their new environment. The new teachers were excited to share their new experiences at cox .

Q: What got you into teaching?

A: Ms. Matulewicz – ” I fell in love with teaching after I did a little coaching internship and I said you know what i’m sporty and I like kids, Ill try PE.”

A: Mr. Ripa – ” I started with Soccer which transitioned directly to coaching and then from coaching soccer I started teaching and then I merged the two together and I never looked back.”

A: Mr. Ingram – “When I was in high school I had some teachers that guided me through and got me where I needed to be.

A: Mr. Stone – ” I’ve done a lot but I’ve always been a strong reader, and its always been very important to me. I realized that the love of reading needs to be passed on, and you have to show kids that you love it too.”

A: Mr. Hamaker – ” I started studying teaching in college. I avoided it for a long time. Then I started to fall in love with it.”

Q: Do you coach or lead any after school activities?

A: Mr. Ripa – ” I coach boys soccer”

A: Ms. Matulewicz – ” Yes, I’m going to be coaching varsity girls basketball and ill be helping out with softball, and i’m down to sponsor any clubs, I want to get involved and I want y’all to get involved”

A: Mr. Ingram – “Yes, I am coaching tennis, I would also like to get a surf club started”

A: Mr. Stone – ” Yea we just got a new magic the gathering club started, MEETINGS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY go support!”

A: Mr. Shield – “I am a cosponsor of the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), and I am founding a One-Lunch activity called “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Restoration”, which will be focusing on the basics of motorcycle repair and restoration.”

Q: What is your favorite part about teaching at cox?

A: Ms. Burch – “There are many things I like about teaching at Cox. The school climate is extremely positive. The administration and staff have been very welcoming. The students are friendly and engaged. My department is very supportive and works as a team.”

A: Mr. Shield – “I appreciate the amount of creative freedom I am given as a teacher.”

New Falcon Teachers:

• Nicholas Stone – English
• Meghan Matulewicz – Physical Education
• Richard Ingram- Physical Education
• Santo Ripa – Oceanography
• Jennifer Burch – Social Studies
• Rex Hamaker jr. – World Language
• John Shield – Tech Ed