ANDOVERVIEW staff members interviewed the new faculty members in Andover High School this year. Here are short profiles.
AHS Welcomes New Physical Education Teacher Benjamin Bourgoin
By Julia Rodenberger, STAFF WRITER
Benjamin Bourgoin joined AHS’s physical education department in the fall of 2023 following Coach Fazio’s retirement from teaching.
Bourgoin previously taught physical and health education at Epping High School in New Hampshire, before serving as the district’s athletic director. He currently teaches Activity Fitness, Team Group Activities, and Competitive Team Activities at AHS.
Students in Mr. Bourgoin’s class can enjoy exercising to hip hop, classic rock, and upbeat songs. “We used to do these disco Fridays [during] gym in Epping. So maybe I’ll try to bring some disco flavor here,” he adds.
Epping High School has a small student body, amounting to less than 250 students across the four grades. Bourogin said, “[Andover’s] at the totally opposite end of the spectrum from where I was. It’s cool to see.”
Amongst the unique resources made possible by AHS’s large size is the outdoor ropes course available to ninth graders in Project Challenge. Bourgoin recently underwent training for the class and is excited to potentially teach it in future years.
Benjamin Bourgoin poses for the camera with a basketball.
Professional Basketball Player Transitions to History Teacher
By Ella Hu, STAFF WRITER
Mary Creamer, new history teacher and former professional basketball player, has traveled the world and immersed herself in different cultures due to her previous career.
Creamer was drafted in the first round of the 2003 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty. During her many trips around the world as a professional basketball player, Creamer explained how living with people with different cultures and languages added to her growth in further educating herself about those communities. Moreover, Creamer believes it is crucial for more people to learn about marginalized communities and be able to celebrate their contributions to America.
Creamer said that she was glad to have experienced living with people who “didn’t speak the same language as [her], didn’t have the same culture…and just to learn about the beautiful diversity of the world and…expand [her] horizons.”
Molly Creamer smiles while teaching class.
AHS Welcomes New English Teacher Fresh from Australia
By Minati Thota, STAFF WRITER
Erin Crowley joined AHS only a month after getting off a plane from Australia to get back to what she loves to do: teach high school English.
Crowley arrived two weeks after the start of the year, fresh from her job abroad as an English teacher for Australian high school students. Some days she was even required to teach Biology and Chemistry, she said, but her true passion lies in English.
She grew up in Massachusetts, and her own high school English teachers were her biggest inspiration—she “hoped [she] could be that for the kids someday.” Crowley finds the new changes both exciting and challenging. Simple things, like “morning tea” missing from her daily routine, will need some getting used to. When she’s not at school or reading, she loves going on runs and watching sports.
Crowley believes that her background as a special education teacher truly shaped her skills to work with students. She said her biggest takeaway has been to remind students to “do their best right now,” and keep their head in the game.
New Psychologist Balances Paperwork with Student Interaction
By Anya Gorovits, STAFF WRITER
New school psychologist Rebecca Jacoby, understands the importance of the paperwork aspect of her job but wishes she could put it aside to spend more time empowering students.
Jabocy, the new Supporting Academics and Independent Learning (SAIL) psychologist at AHS focuses on supporting students. As a partner of the SAIL program, which provides special education to students, Jacoby is there to talk to students with mental disabilities. When meeting with a student, she assesses them to find a diagnosis and treatment.
Jacoby’s job is difficult because of these assessments. The SAIL program gives her strict deadlines to follow.
“Sometimes when deadlines are coming up, I have to prioritize those, which can prevent me from being available to students when they may need support,” Jacoby explained. Though important, this part of her job takes away from what she really loves.
“I just love being with high school students!” Jacoby said. Actually seeing and supporting students is why Jacoby came into this career. Before AHS, Jacoby thought she wanted to work as a behind-the-scenes counselor, improving special education without being with students.
However, after working at another school where Jacoby got to speak to and actually help students, she realized that that’s what she wanted to do.
New AHS Math Teacher Adds Outdoors to the Equation
By Tommy Kruecker-Green, STAFF WRITER
Andover High welcomed a new math teacher, James McCormack, who combines his passion for mathematics with a love for the great outdoors.
Born in Saugus, Massachusetts, McCormack recalls being good at and enjoying math throughout his schooling. “It started with being pretty good at math in high school and I always helped my friends out,” he said. McCormack went on to study mathematics in college and has now been teaching for eight years, recently at his alma mater high school.
James McCormack takes a break from geometry work.
When asked about his favorite math subjects, McCormack pointed to calculus and algebra.
“Algebra is very puzzle-like and interesting,” he said. When asked what he likes most about teaching, McCormack said “watching the students as they grow into young adults, watching them mature.” He appreciates “any part that [he] can play into that,” seeing “the shy kids who are freshmen grow up to find their voices.”
Beyond the classroom, some of McCormack’s interests include coaching sports like football and basketball. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and being active outside. He also takes pride in his athletic past, having played football collegiately at Plymouth State.
New Andover High School Teacher Enjoys Food In Her Free Time
By Ariana Teasdale, STAFF WRITER
Khristine Maraganis, a new AHS teacher, has recently found interest in exploring restaurants and trying new dishes.
Maraganis has always wanted to be a teacher since childhood, when she would play “school” with her younger brother. Surprisingly, he ended up learning how to read, which inspired her to become a teacher. She has now been teaching for 22 years.
During the interview process, Maraganis was impressed by how students was able to participate as part of the interview committee—she was drawn to AHS, as she found that this school values students. So far, Maraganis has found AHS to be very friendly, and the staff and students have been extremely helpful.
Recently, Maraganis has found joy in trying new restaurants. As a foodie, she has “always enjoy[ed] eating out,” and finds it a lot easier than cooking. Because her children are older and more independent, they are able to cook their own meals—allowing Maraganis to have more opportunities to go out with friends.
Right now, Maraganis has “a goal to try a new restaurant every month”. Although she admits it is a pretty tame goal, it still allows her to go out with friends and try new things.
Retired Athletics Director Returns to AHS
By Sanjith Kalpat, STAFF WRITER
Brian McNally, a seasoned Athletics Director who retired in 2017, has renewed his association with Andover High School’s Physical Education Department.
McNally’s deep affection for the Andover community serves as the driving force behind his reappearance. He expressed a strong connection with the students and the dedicated staff, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive community.
McNally finds joy in witnessing students’ development, both individually and as a team. His new role at AHS involves teaching Activity Fitness to sophomores, a crucial responsibility aimed at helping students’ physical fitness through activity and promoting lifelong health.
“The nice part about coaching is really being able to focus on a particular sport with a specific group of students who are dedicated to that sport and seeing how you can help them progress as individuals and then collectively as a team,” he said. “And also in PE class, you work together as a team to improve as well.”
McNally also values family and enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and pickleball. His memorable trip last October across the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, an 83-mile bike ride, emphasized the significance of an active lifestyle, a key message he aims to instill in his students.
“Find out what you are passionate about and continue to be active for the rest of your life because an active lifestyle is a longer and healthier lifestyle,” encourages McNally.
New English Instructor, Mrs. Meta Scott: Nature Delves Deep, No Matter Where You May Be
Maddox To, STAFF WRITER
Meta Scott, now a full-time instructor for the Special Education Department, enjoys teaching English to her juniors and seniors. But if given the choice, she’d much rather be instructing in a bright classroom with windows, facing the diversity of nature surrounding the school. Or perhaps carry on outside of school, to scope the vast landscapes and trails that meet new flora and fauna surrounding the land she treks.
Born in Northern Ireland, Scott has lived in Indiana, Tennessee and more before moving to Massachusetts. “It’s a real sedulous route–many others have it a lot more linear, but for me, moving was quite all over the place,” she said.
Scott expressed her frustration teaching in a windowless classroom, “I find the architecture that I have to spend my weekdays in very…ugly–I feel like this part of me is dying… I even searched up if it was illegal to have a windowless classroom because to me it feels illegal,” she joked. To aid her spirit, Scott turns to find beauty outside of school. But on those days when she is teaching in her windowless classroom, she collects parts of nature and brings them to her desk.
Scott uses what time she has left from her busy schedule “ into friendships, family, and being out in nature or having good conversations.”
Former AHS Student Back for Round Two as P.E. Teacher
By Molly Borenstein, STAFF WRITER
Former student Michael Comeau graduated from AHS in 2017 and has returned to teach physical education as a permanent substitute.
Comeau said although he enjoyed high school, he never thought he’d be back at AHS full-time. He said he liked the teachers, excelled in sports, and unlike the usual student, really enjoyed his high school experience.
Being a former student, Comeau has had some unique realizations. “It’s kind of great. I loved the teachers at AHS, so it’s been awesome to see both sides, have them as teachers and now come to work with them.”
Michael Comeau poses for a photo.
Comeau explained that he wasn’t 100% sure what he wanted to do when he graduated from college and continues that, “[he] kind of was just brought back to AHS.” He knew from his time in school that he wanted to work with kids, and because of his excellence in high school athletics, he thought being a physical education instructor would be the perfect fit.
When asked about his plans for the future he voiced that he wishes to continue down the path of education. Comeau gives a walkthrough of the timeline: “In July I started my masters program at Salem State University… in physical education.” He said that although he didn’t know what he wanted to do when graduating, he feels he has found his place at AHS and his true passion.
New Math Teacher in his 26th Position
By Abby Chachus, STAFF WRITER
Scott Govoni, a new math instructor, is working in his 26th position where he is new to the building but not the district.
Scott Govoni poses for a picture in a classroom.
Govoni used to work at Wood Hill Middle School as a math and science teacher who was seeking an opportunity for change. Govoni plans on ending his career at Andover High.
He wanted to teach history, but in college was encouraged to teach math because of his degree in a math field that most people going into teaching do not have. Govoni worked at 24 other jobs before Wood Hill where he worked for 21 years. “Now I am here,” he said.
Outside of the classroom, Govoni plays with his dog, goes on walks with his wife, plays video games, and builds. “I built most of the house that I live in,” he said.
New Nurse Melissa Sucharewicz, A Shining Star
By Samiha Jaffar, STAFF WRITER
Melissa Sucharewicz worked as an elementary school nurse for many years and is finally stepping up to the high school.
Growing up, Sucharewicz always loved science and thought that astrology was her path, considering how much she loved looking through telescope from a young age.
She had never even considered being a nurse until her own interaction with nurses during her senior year in high school. A personal situation made her realize how much of an impact nurses can have on someone’s life and in the world.Sucharewicz described her greatest strength as her empathy and compassion for each individual and their situation. Besides nursing, Sucharewicz loves to spend time with her kids and family. She enjoys going for jogs, yoga, and hiking. Her family has set a goal to complete the New Hampshire 48 4000 footers.
PAST PRISON GUARD AS NEW AHS COUNSELOR
Jiya Jotwani, STAFF WRITER
Rachael Dobbs worked as a prison guard in Newburyport before coming to work at AHS as a counselor.
Dobbs got a degree in Criminal Justice in college and wanted to be in the FBI. Working her way up, she became a correctional officer at a prison in Newburyport. She started learning more about mental health with adolescents and realized that was her focus. She is now a counselor for students in the Transitions program, who take temporary breaks from school whether from mental health issues or an injury of some sort. She was also previously a basketball coach and an intermediate figure skater.
New Engineering Teacher Draws on Work Experience
By Isabella Yan, STAFF WRITER
Ralph Arabian, a new addition to the engineering department, uses his experience as an engineer to inspire students to pursue their passions.
Several years ago, Arabian was a project manager for sections of the Central Artery Tunnel and offramps of the Zakim Bridge in Boston. Drawing from his knowledge of engineering, he was inspired to begin a career in teaching. Arabian has since taught at several schools and joined the Andover faculty as an instructor of Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Green Engineering, and Innovation Design Lab.
In teaching, Arabian finds significance in preparing his students for real-world situations. He emphasizes the importance of student involvement in interactive projects. “[In] engineering you can have a lot of leeway… I’ve always been under the impression [that when you] have kids [be] hands-on and have fun… they’ll learn more,” he said.
Arabian is an enthusiast for adventure, with experience in water sports such as scuba diving. With a knack for thrill, he has been skydiving and has driven a Formula 1 race car at over 150 MPH on an open track.
Ralph Arabian smiles in the engineering room.
