Shortly after first quarter interims, Dr. Gina Sese’s departure was announced and her classes were distributed amongst other teachers. Students in AICE Global Perspectives, AICE Marine Science, Marine Science and Biology 1 received new teachers.
Following her resignation, the school worked diligently to make changes to students’ schedules without much disruption and in a timely manner. Students were also sent home with a letter to inform parents of the change and ways to contact their new teacher.
“In any situation when a teacher leaves, then we have to look at what’s in the best interest of our students and how can we put our teachers in a position to best serve our students,” Guidance Director Ron Zicardi said.
Some of Sese’s classes will be instructed by substitute teacher Dr. Christopher Newton, a familiar face here at CCHS For the time being, he will be taking over six Marine Science periods in her old classroom, room 4125. He places a strong emphasis on teamwork within the science department and gives credit to the department head, Kelly Agnew.
“The team is wonderful here, so the kids are not on a limb by themselves,” Newton said. “Every time I come in, the first person I see in the morning is the department. They are alongside me, every single day.”
On Monday, September 12, Sese’s fourth-period AICE Global Perspectives class was moved to teacher Wendy Schauben’s classroom. The change was a direct move and caused Schauben’s fourth-period AICE General Paper class to be moved to Derria Smith’s classroom.
“I found out I’d have a new AICE Global Perspectives teacher about half an hour before I went into the class for the day, so it’s safe to say I was a little shocked,” junior Giovanna Dellaria said.
Schauben was made aware of the change on September 9. She decided to start from day one with her new class and is working towards getting all her classes on the same page.
“I just hope all of the students are settling in nicely,” Schauben said.
Some of Schauben’s new students found it helpful that she started from the beginning.
“Honestly, I’m glad that it happened at the beginning of the school year rather than any other time; that way, we have a lot less to catch up on,” Dellaria said. “There are some different classroom rules that take some getting used to, but Ms. Schauben is nice and efficient about getting us up to speed.”
Apart from AICE Global Perspectives, Sese taught a seventh-period AICE Marine Science class that moved to Jason Scarlatelli’s period.
“The change itself isn’t very different but it feels more stressful because it’s an AICE class since we actually have to work towards an exam,” sophomore Angela Joseph said. “A lot of the other AICE Marine [Science] classes are ahead of our class and we have a lot of catching up to do.”
Joseph and her class had their grades transferred and are quickly getting back into the groove of the course.
“I really have to commend our students for the great attitude and understanding the situation and making the best of it,” Zicardi said.
With the effort put in by CCHS’ guidance, the science department and teachers, the effects of Sese’s departure are easier on students. Students are settling into their new schedules quickly, and the class changes are becoming seamless with each passing day.
