New Faculty, Staff Join AHS
Alexa Anasopoulos, Special Education Teacher
Alexa Anasopoulos, a new special education teacher in geometry and algebra classes, worked as a substitute teacher while majoring in business, and that is when she realized that she wanted to teach.
When subbing, Anasopoulos enjoyed connecting with students. After finishing her major and working for a few years in business, she realized that this was not what she really wanted to do. So she went back to get a degree for education.
“I just loved being able to build relationships with students and help support them in their academic journeys,” said Anasopoulos. “I went and got my master’s and became an educator, and I still love what I do 14 years later.” — By Zaynah Sheikh
Siobhan Curran, Science Teacher
Siobhan Curran, a new teacher within the science department, has found creative ways to bring her love of art into her curriculum.
Outside of the classroom, Curran enjoys painting. She began painting in high school and has since continued, making art pieces for family and friends while also pursuing it purely for enjoyment.
Curran doesn’t only limit her love of art to her personal life, though. She incorporated art into assignments at her previous school. “I had a bunch of kids who were interested in art and also chemistry,” said Curran, “ and so some of them came up with really cool labs where they’d be looking at making paint or analyzing copper printing-related techniques.”
Inspiring her students to think creatively is one of the main reasons Curran enjoys teaching. Her guiding philosophy? “I think it’s important to realize that kids can do more than everybody always gives them credit for,” she said. — By Stephanie Okeyo
Yiqi ‘Amy’ Guo, Science Teacher
Yiqi ‘Amy’ Guo, a new teacher in AHS’s science department, shares her passions for curiosity, enrichment, and growth with her students.
Amy Guo teaches both biology and forensic science. A major part of her personal teaching philosophy is to be open to all levels of learning, and to make sure that all of her students retain a drive to reach their maximum potential.
“What I really want is for everyone to feel like they learned something with me and their peers by the end of the year,” Guo said. “I want them to feel like the skills they developed in class can be applied to solve problems in the future. Maybe not just for science, it could be for something bigger or something we don’t know yet.” — By Garrett Berube
Melissa Jacobo, Social Worker
Melissa Jacobo, a new social worker at AHS who has many years of experience working at Doherty Middle School and, prior to that, Massachusetts General Hospital, pursued her profession after working for a federally funded grant program.
Student Support Services, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides aid to students struggling financially, academically, or personally. With the program, Jacobo worked with first generation, low income, and disabled students, and it was also where she discovered she wanted to be a social worker.
“I remember being like, ‘This is magic,’” Jacobo said when relaying her experience working with Student Support Services.
Jacobo’s favorite part of her new position is working with students. When asked if there was anything she would change, Jacobo said, “I have no idea yet.” — By Madeleine Carlson
Rhiannon Jones, Science Teacher
New science teacher Rhiannon Jones was inspired when she was a high school student, and now enjoys helping her own students excel in both science and dance.
Beyond AHS, Jones teaches different styles of dance to children between 2 and 18 in her hometown. Here at AHS, human anatomy is her focus.
Before Jones became a teacher, she grew up in a family that was very involved in science. And then she was inspired by one teacher in particular: her freshman science teacher.
“The way she approached teaching with a passion for the subject, and her positive attitude towards students and their learning made me want to be part of the teaching community,” Jones said. — By the ANDOVERVIEW staff, with reporting by correspondent Elena Thatcher
Lisa Kinley, Instructional Aide
Lisa Kinley transitioned into her role as an instructional aide at Andover High School this year to support students in the classroom, building on a career path that began with teaching art.
Kinley, who holds degrees in fine art and art education, taught art to elementary, middle, and high school students in Ohio, California, and Oregon before coming to Andover. Although she did not always plan to pursue teaching, she discovered she enjoyed helping others understand subjects she knew well. After taking time away from teaching to raise her family, she decided it was time to work in a school setting again. Looking ahead, she is considering returning to the classroom as an art teacher, while continuing to explore her interests outside of school.
“I think the most rewarding part about teaching is getting a glimpse into the students’ lives as you watch them grow and progress,” Kinley said. “You start to develop a relationship with them and learn what their interests are and what they enjoy doing.” — By Andrew Boles
Elisa Sanders, Special Education Teacher
Elisa Sanders, a new faculty member at AHS, now works in special education after leaving the business world.
Sanders originally earned her undergraduate degree in business administration, but went back to school at 40 to get her master’s degree in special education after she realized she disliked the business world. What also encouraged her to make this transition is her younger brother, who has multiple disabilities. When Sanders and her brother grew up in the 1970s, he didn’t have the same opportunities and programs accessible to him that are offered to kids today.
“He’s kind of my motivation,” said Sanders. “I feel like he could have had a different life if there were more opportunities available to him.”
It is Sander’s 19th year teaching, and she teaches special education in English as well as specialized reading, and co-teaches an American Voices class here at AHS. She just loves being able to help out with kids who have similar struggles to her brother’s and is glad to give them the chances he was unable to have 50 years ago. — By Neha Kalagarla
John Tigani, World Languages Teacher
John Tigani, Andover High’s new Latin I & IV teacher, travels boundlessly in the search for knowledge.
Tigani was raised in Wilmington, Del., but attended school in Massachusetts. Most people would choose to go to college close to their home and family. Tigani is not like most people. He traveled across the country, studying history in Berkeley, Calif. But his love for his the Bay State never truly eroded, as he later returned to Massachusetts to teach Latin, driven by his passion for history (especially the Roman Republic) and his desire to prepare students for the world after high school. Lucky for him, Andover’s Latin program gave him leeway to do both.
“In no other job,” Tigani said, “do you get to prepare your students for life after school under the lens of the subject that you love.”— By Maaz Mirza
Tyler Walles, Interim Assistant Athletic Director
AHS’s interim assistant athletic director and new boys hockey coach, Tyler Walles, is looking forward to giving back to the Andover community through his new position.
Sports have remained a constant in Walles’ life. Growing up immersed in the athletics of the AHS community, Walles has always felt a strong connection to the sports program. This passion bloomed, from playing baseball and hockey at Andover High School to recently graduating from Sacred Heart University with a degree in sports management.
“My life’s always revolved around sports. It’s kind of what I know best,” Walles said. “It was kind of a no-brainer when this opportunity [at AHS] came up.”
As an alumnus, he feels especially connected to the culture that Andover provides: “Growing up in this town, it’s what I’ve known and what I love. Andover made me who I am today and I think it’s important to get back to this community.” — By Hannah Armstrong
Jiang Xiaohan, Science Teacher
Jiang Xiaohan might be a new science teacher at AHS, but she has a lifetime of experience teaching and has always loved helping people learn.
Teaching isn’t just a job for Xiaohan; it is a lifelong passion and way for her to connect with her family. Beginning with her grandparents, the practice was passed down to her parents and it felt natural for her to teach as well. While other kids played games of tag, Xiaohan chose peaceful evenings with her family.
“Growing up,” Xiaohan explained, “I was helping my parents with grading their students’ work, and I enjoyed doing that.”
Every summer, Xiaohan returns to China, where her parents are still working hard teaching, to reconnect and get the occasional tip. — By Dylan Czepiel
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