Interviews by Rachel Didsbury and Catrina Meyer

This year, Pomperaug High School didn't just welcome in the Class of 2015, but we were also introduced to four new teachers! The Phoenix interviewed the four newest additions to our academic team about their first impressions of the school and their interests. Say hello to Ms. Gilland (science), Ms. Werner (math), Mr. Mesh (science), and Ms. Saraiva (practical law, civics, and psychology).

Name:Ms. Gilland

Subject she teaches:Biology

Fun Fact:She worked in pharmaceutical sales at GlaxoSmithKline and in the research labs of Harvard Medical School before teaching at Pomperaug!

Please welcome one of our newest additions to the science department, Ms. Joanne Gilland! She is a part time teacher here at Pomperaug who specializes in biology. An interesting fact about her is that this is her second career. Prior to teaching, Ms. Gilland worked in pharmaceutical sales at GlaxoSmithKline and in the research labs of Harvard Medical School.While she is not here at PHS, she is usually driving her three children to their sports, piano lessons and other activities! Ms. Gilland loves hiking, skiing, reading, and going to the beach. Last year she student-taught at Watertown High, and was a long-term substitute teacher at Farmington High School. Ms. Gilland's first impression of PHS was of the climate—she feels that everyone is so friendly! She is most looking forward to getting to know the students and staff at PHS. Ms. Gilland claims, “I am so excited about attending a few games and plays here at the school. It is a great opportunity to see some of my students doing what they love (outside of Biology)!”

Name:Ms. Werner

Subjects she teaches:Algebra and Geometry

Fun Fact:She was in New York City before coming to Pomperaug.

Ms. Werner has begun her career at Pomperaug in the math department. Besides in the halls and the resource center, you might just find her teaching algebra and geometry. She had a positive first impression of PHS—she believes the teachers, students, and overall community were very welcoming. Prior to Pomperaug, Ms. Werner was located in New York City. Outside of school, Ms. Werner enjoys boating, skiing, and photography. In school, she is most looking forward to working with her students in and out of the classroom. Ms. Werner is really excited to attend sporting events, spirit week, and community service opportunities throughout the year.

Name: Mr. Mesh

Subjects he teaches:Physical Science: Academic and Basic Skills

Fun Fact: His advice to students is “Study nature not books,” a quotation by Louis Agassiz.

Mr. Mesh has taught, in his words, “a big sweep,” of students of different ages, subjects, and socioeconomic backgrounds. He got his teaching degree two years ago and has been an elementary school tutor, a day to day substitute and a long term substitute. In addition to teaching, biology is his passion and he has also been a professor of human biology. He really enjoys working with freshmen and getting the opportunity to be a part of their adjustment to high school. He says that for the most part they are mature, but they are still anxious about the transition. Mr. Mesh is very happy to be able to teach the students as freshmen, then watch them grow for three more years before seeing them graduate. He is also very excited about the classes he is teaching; his physical science classes, he said, focus on developing good scientific thinking and skills. He points out that not everyone will become a doctor or a scientist, but everyone will need to be able to analyze information. Impressed with our mature student body that he has noticed walk the hallways with good behavior and conviction, he has had a very positive first impression of Pomperaug. Mr. Mesh is looking forward to getting to know the students better and becoming even more a part of the community when he has some of his students' siblings in the next few years. He also looks forward to getting involved with sports and extracurricular activities, and supporting Pomperaug in the community. Outside of school, he considers himself a techie guru, and he likes to use new software and programs. Consistent with his passion for biology , he loves to hike and do things in nature.

Name:Ms. Saraiva

Subjects she teaches:Participatory Civics and Practical Law; psychology in the second semester as well

Fun Fact:She has a twin who is also a teacher.

Ms. Saraiva is a Pomperaug graduate of the class of 2002, and she fell in love with the school as a student and again a teacher. She said, “I couldn’t think of a better place to work.” She loved coming back and seeing familiar faces from all departments, especially her tenth grade history teacher, Mr. Bass, who has been her mentor. After Pomperaug, she got her Bachelors at Western Connecticut State University, and her Masters at Fairfield University. Before getting into education, she worked at a criminal and family law firm. She is excited to have the opportunity to teach her classes, especially because of her background in law. She also can’t wait to get to know her students better, and as the semester ends, she looks forward to meeting even more students when she extends her class-load to include Psychology. As she learns more about the school, she plans to get involves in clubs perhaps next year, and participate more in the school she loved as a teenager and now as an adult.