Background Information
What led you to choose the subject you teach?
Mr. Carroll: I had a teacher in eighth grade who…was a little mean, but she was great. Looking back, she forced me to grow, pay attention to class and work hard. History was her subject, and that’s where I really got into history, because it was something I became good at.
Mr. Capron: Ever since I was a child, I was always interested in history. My dad’s an English teacher, so he always pushed me to read. I applied his teaching [to] history. My family’s Irish, so I loved learning about my Irish culture and history, which led to a general interest in history.
Mr. Stankiewicz: I’ve always had an adjacent interest in biology and anatomy.
Mr. O’Keefe: I went to Rutgers. I studied marine sciences and I actually minored in education. And I just always really enjoyed science, and it’s always kind of been easy to me.
Ms. A. Smith: Growing up in Panama, I always liked languages. My major was English at the University of Panama. When I moved to the United States, I switched to Spanish, so now I am a Spanish teacher.
What college did you graduate from?
Mr. Carroll: King’s College in Wilkes-Barre.
Mr. Capron: I went to Middlesex Community College to get my associate’s degree. Afterwards, I went to Rowan University to receive my Bachelor’s degree in history and education.
Mr. Stankiewicz: I went to Middlesex Community College, Rutgers University, Stockton College and ultimately graduated from Western Governors University.
Mr. O’Keefe: I graduated from Rutgers.
Ms. A. Smith: New Jersey City University in Jersey City. And [I received] my master’s from Rowan University.
Personal Questions
Were you good at your subject back when you were in high school?
Mr. Carroll: Yes. always. I enjoyed history, I worked hard in those classes… it was my subject. Better than math or other things where I wasn’t as interested in it.
Mr. Capron: I took, other than AP [U.S. History], every other AP History, and I enjoyed it.
Mr. Stankiewicz: I think I was okay…it took me some time to learn what study techniques worked best for me, and I just let my natural interests kind of build on my knowledge over time.
Mr. O’Keefe: Yes, I was a little bit of a lazy student, but to be honest, I still did well.
Ms. A. Smith: Oh, yes. I was good at Spanish and English. In Panama, we have a tradition [holiday] that on The Day of the Child, or Diá del Niño, the teachers choose their best student to become the teacher for that day. So that day, I was always the English teacher [at] my school.
Where did you teach before JFKMHS?
Mr. Carroll: I student taught up [in] Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, Lake-Lehman School District, which was a great experience. For the second half of last year, I was a long-term sub at Lehighton Area School District, which is also in Pennsylvania. I was teaching economics there.
Mr. Capron: I student taught at Bordentown Regional High School in Bordentown Regional School District.
Mr. Stankiewicz: I taught one year at Scotch Plains, and before that, I had a long-term subbing job in Metuchen.
Mr. O’Keefe: I was at Henry Hudson in the Highlands, right by the ocean, by Sandy Hook.
Ms. A. Smith: [I taught at] Teaneck High School, then I taught at Edgar Middle School in Metuchen. Next, I went for 2 years in Piscataway for elementary school.
Share a fun fact about you!
Mr. Carroll: I play guitar. I’m in a band with a bunch of my best friends from high school.
Mr. Capron: I am 1 of 5 kids. I’m a triplet, and my siblings are twins.
Mr. Stankiewicz: I’m a CrossFit coach outside of being a teacher.
Mr. O’Keefe: I build tiny houses and do electrical work, including solar paneling, plumbing, carpentry and more.
Ms. A. Smith: My ancestors went to build the Panama Canal from the Caribbean, so that’s our legacy.
Do you have a pet? If not, what pet would you want to have?
Mr. Carroll: I have 2 dogs named Jojo and Sadie back in East Pennsylvania with my family. They are nuts!
Mr. Capron: I do. My dog, Finley, is my life. She’s about 13 pounds.
Mr. Stankiewicz: I do not have a pet. But I have a Tamagotchi.
Mr. O’Keefe: Yes, I do, I have a dog, Abby. She’s a little mix from the shelter.
Ms. A. Smith: No. I do not have a pet, but I would want a golden retriever.
