New teacher feature
Getting to know new faces
April 1, 2021
Get to know nine “new” teachers. New is in quotation marks because a couple of these faces might be familiar. Ms Hayley Tabora has been with us, just in a different position and Mrs. Melissa Schappell previously taught here and has returned.
Drema L. Biron
World Geography
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: I was looking for the right opportunity to get back into the classroom after a four year break and Salem came very highly recommended to me.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful, even when I ask a million questions.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I love swimming, line dancing and I’m a huge MCU fan.
Jodie P. Burwell
Cinema Studies, Performance Theatre, and Introduction to Theatre
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: Moved here from Texas in 2019 (military family), worked at Princess Anne Middle last year, and I wanted to work at a high school that supported the arts so I knew I needed to be here.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: The amount of just purely talented individuals who not only attend here but teach here as well.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I just recently started learning to play pool and I’m not very good at it but it’s fun!
Spenser C. Garcia
Math – Algebra I
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: My fiancée grew up in Virginia Beach, and we wanted to move closer to family and the ocean. I was looking forward to working in a larger school with a strong sense of community with both students and staff.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: It has been great to get to know my students and coworkers a little bit each and every day.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I love jigsaw and crossword puzzles!
Raquel C. Lucas
Special Education, and Collaborative Teacher for AFDA and Geometry Series
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: I’m a 1997 Salem graduate
Q:What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: The sense of community and acceptance
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I love line dancing.
Dustin R. Maghan
9th Grade Health & PE. 10th Grade Health PE/Driver Education
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: I’ve always wanted to teach/coach at the high school level, and heard a lot of great things about Salem staff and students.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: My favorite thing is how supportive the staff is, and how creative the students are.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I coach travel soccer, and Girls Varsity Soccer here at Salem. I like to play golf in my free time, and I still play in a soccer league currently.
Kerri L. Manyo
Math- Algebra 2 and Geometry
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: I heard this was a school with a great community and strong students. Very happy that both these things are true.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: I love that everyone is so helpful and willing to take a minute to talk with you. Building positive relationships is key right now.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I enjoy running, knitting, and reading.
Kristyna A. Oyola
9th-grade Health & PE and Subbing
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: I graduated from the VPAA program. I have always seen this place as my home!
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: I love being able to work with staff members who helped me through my journey at Salem.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)? A: I love coaching Field hockey in my free time!
Melissa A. Schappell
VPAA Visual Art: Art History & Production, Ceramics/Sculpture, Painting & Mixed Media, Senior Synthesis
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: I wanted to come back to my home away from home
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: The students and their creative spirits
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I am a practicing artist. www.melissaschappell.com
Hayley N. Tabora
World History I Inclusion, Reading Development
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: My mother worked here, my brother graduated from here and I substituted here and loved it!
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: The staff have been so welcoming and inviting and made me feel really comfortable.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: This will be my 7th year as the Salem High School softball coach and it is my 5th year with Salem field hockey.
Chonise M. Thomas
English as a Foreign Language I, II & ESL Effective Reading
Q: What brought you to Salem?
A: After teaching music for the past 4 years, I wanted to try working with the EL population. I never thought I would end up teaching high school, but here I am! I must say I enjoy this age group.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Salem so far?
A: My students. They are hard working, sweet and I enjoy their presence.
Q: What is one thing about yourself you’d like to share with the Salem community (hobby, etc.)?
A: I’m a performer. I can sing in several different languages but am only fluent in Spanish. I studied classical voice and Spanish in college. In my spare time (whenever I can find some) I participate in shows. I’ve worked with the Hurrah Players for about 7 years now.
