Riordan proudly welcomed 11 new teachers for the 2023- 2024 school year, ranging from the Resource Specialist Program department to core subjects.
All of the new teachers, who come from diverse backgrounds and teaching experiences, have been enjoying their experience so far, stating that Riordan gave them a welcoming environment full of opportunities.
Michael Kilgariff, a Riordan alumnus from the class of 2017, enjoyed his time at Riordan and felt it would be great to come back and work in the RSP department, which he was a part of when he was a student here.
He stated, “My experience so far here at Riordan has been awesome. Coming to work every day at the school I graduated from is truly a blessing.”
He added, “Working in the RSP program has been great as I get to work with kids with learning disabilities and how they can overcome their challenges.”
Maxwell Smart, a substitute teacher in the East Bay for a year, is now also an RSP teacher at Riordan. He stated, “I was getting tired of bouncing from school to school, having to reintroduce myself to a new group of students and prove myself and gain their trust, all those very important things that go into a teacher-student relationship.”
He added, “Riordan gave me an opportunity to work at one place with the same group every day. That way I also get a chance to track students’ progress better and watch them grow.”
While teaching at Riordan has been a positive experience for all of the teachers, some challenges arose.
Jade Nguyen, a new dance teacher at the school, stated that although her experience has been overwhelming with a new environment she has never experienced before, she overcame the challenges by learning and understanding the culture of how things are run here. She’s had a great experience with the students, staff, and intertwined community.
She stated, “It is one of the most unique educational spaces I have been in, and it is definitely like no other!”
Brian Morgan, a math teacher, joined Riordan looking for a new challenge and being drawn to Riordan’s rich history, especially the co-ed transition. He said the students have been pretty good and comfortable enough to trust and open up about themselves or what they need. The most challenging yet exciting aspect of working here for him is the dynamic nature of being with adolescents.
“It’s been great,” Morgan said. “Everybody’s been really friendly, and the kids have been good in my class.”
Robert Weatherly, a math teacher, has had a positive experience and a great start at Riordan so far, with helpful staff and great students.
He said, “I think right now the biggest thing for me as a teacher is the pacing, doing the 4×4. While I like going fast, it can be difficult to teach the material in a way that students can absorb it as well and quickly.”
Shannon Moran, also a new RSP teacher, has been enjoying teaching during her start at Riordan and admires the close community and family.
“It’s great to see how many alumni returned to coach and teach here!” She stated, “The fall rally was a highlight of the year so far. I loved seeing how many students and teachers dressed up and participated in the rally. A highlight was watching the cross country team beat the strength coaches in a tug of war!”
Alyssa Xavier, a new Religion Studies teacher, has had a welcoming and supportive start at Riordan, appreciating the family-like atmosphere on campus.
She stated, “I realized there was really something special here, and I even told them at my interview that Riordan had quickly become my first choice.”
She added, “I was excited about the new Introduction to Catholicism class for freshmen, which I’m so happy to be teaching, and I could see that the administration really cared about the students, teachers, and community here, and were constantly working on policies and practices to best support everyone and respond to their needs.”
These new faces at Riordan are set to teach students how to thrive and bring their talents to our school, fostering an environment where students can feel comfortable while learning.
Their dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to support their students are certain to make a positive impact on the Riordan community in the upcoming years.
