New Teacher Feature

New Teachers:

Carl Alberico

1.What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I was teaching middle school science (Earth and Physical) at Corporate Landing.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
The overall atmosphere of the school. It is very welcoming, and the students and staff have been great! I have really enjoyed playing basketball with my students during one lunch.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to track season as I am the distance coach for the track team.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
Anything sports related. I like to run, play different sports, and watch sports on tv.

Brett Baker

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I was retired and spending days with my amazing grandson, Cooper. Retirement is great. I recommend it for everyone.  I know, why then am I working again? This isn’t really work. This is fun, and my wife made me… and I’m not allowed to complain about it.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
The NJROTC Cadets are exceptionally bright and amazing young men and women. They inspire me. The SHS staff are, in large, remarkable people. The collective energy and positive spirit make coming in every day a joy!

3.What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to getting comfortable in my position, helping Cadets prepare for life after SHS, and learning the names of all the NJROTC Cadets and SHS staff.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
What’s free time? “Free time” is consumed with yard maintenance, house cleaning and repairs, family time, meal prep and school prep.

Alisa Bozich

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I was a stay-at-home mom and finishing my MTESOL (Master’s of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Arizona State University.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
I’ve really enjoyed the creativity and kindness of the staff at Salem

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to building my portfolio of first-year lesson plans and curriculum resources so next year might possibly not feel so crazy. 🙂

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to watch soccer, crochet little animals, study other languages and play board games with my family.

Alicia Britton

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before working at Salem HS, I was an 8th grade English teacher at Plaza Middle School.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
My favorite thing about working at Salem so far has been being able to make connections with students from all grade levels–even the ones I do not teach!

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to attending the events like sporting events and the academy’s performances. Additionally, raising a ton of money for the Class of 2027! WOO

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy going to concerts, baking, thrifting, and performing personal concerts in my shower and car. 

Emily Daves

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I just moved to Virginia a few months ago, so before coming to Salem High School, I taught high school Special Education in Charleston, South Carolina!

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
My favorite thing about Salem so far has been the supportive and welcoming community! I’ve moved multiple times over the years, and taught at many different schools, but I have never been as impressed as I have been with Salem. Everyone is incredibly kind, helpful, and creates such a great community here!

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
This year I am looking forward to teaching with my AMAZING co-teacher Ms. Kemp as well as attending various Salem High School events to support my ever-so talented students.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I like going to workout classes, spending time with my husband and dog, and having spontaneous dance parties around the house featuring my classic dance move, the “can opener.”

Daniel Diaz

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before coming to Salem, I was a H/PE Teacher at Renaissance Academy (HS). Prior to Renaissance, I was a strength and conditioning coach for CHKD Sports Medicine.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
My favorite thing about Salem so far is the family atmosphere I’ve felt from both the staff and students.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to attending all the extracurricular activities and supporting my students in their other endeavors outside of the classroom.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also love playing and watching all types of sports. During my free time out of class I’m either playing/watching a sport, chasing my son around, or sleeping!

Tonya Egas

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I’ve been a School Counselor in middle school for over 24 years. I have been living in Winchester, VA, for the past 15 years.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
I absolutely love the Friday lunches that the culinary students make for the staff! I look forward to it as much as I look forward to the weekend!

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to learning about high school counseling.  It is very different from being a middle school counselor!

4. What do you like to do in your free time? 
I love to shop & sleep. In my free time, I paint “kindness rocks” and hide them in the community.  I also like to read mysteries and watch movies. I love to travel in the summer.

Diana Garcia-Fuentes

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I was a Spanish teacher at Larkspur Middle School for four years.  Before that, I taught English in North Carolina and the Adult Learning Center in Virginia Beach.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
I like how involved students are with sports and extracurricular activities.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to a successful school year, I can’t wait for basketball season!

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I travel a lot, I love concerts, and I love spending time with my husband and puppy.

Melisande Larguet Goodwin

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I got my teaching license from ODU and I student taught at Tallwood HS.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
My favorite thing about Salem is the sense of community. I felt very comfortable at Salem right away and I love the Sundevil family.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to restarting the French honor society and to grow our French program.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I love sports. I do triathlon (swim, bike, run) and I am currently training for the Shamrock marathon which is going to be my first marathon.

Ann Marie Hohman

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Middle School principal and math teacher at Chesapeake Bay Academy.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
Absolutely the students!

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
Attending games, concerts, performances, etc. I love to cheer on our kids!

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I teach college classes (online), walk my grand-dog Pepper, binge The Crown and Great British Baking Show, and travel to see my own kids in Florida and Tennessee.

Ashlyn Kemp

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before I arrived at Salem, I started off in Chesapeake Public Schools. Here I tried my hand at teaching elementary school students for a few years, before making the jump to middle school and then over to Virginia Beach City Public Schools. After spending four years teaching middle school, I felt a new challenge was necessary and found my way to high school.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
Never before have I taught at a school that was so of one mind as Salem. Whether you have been here for a while, or have just arrived, it seems that Salem seems to call to teachers and staff members of a similar mindset. It allows for an unspoken unity and respect throughout the building. That and how incredibly welcoming and supportive everyone has been.

3. What are you looking forward to this year? 
I am looking forward to working alongside and creating lasting memories with my truly phenomenal co-teacher, Mrs. Daves. She is one in a million and I could not have been luckier when we were placed together. Along with that, attending as many Salem High events as I possibly can.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I should say that my hobby is finding new hobbies. This year my focus has been on crocheting and practicing aerial arts. Besides that, anything and everything spooky or scary, beginning with recently released thrillers.

Sidney Kinser

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before I came to Salem, I was teaching Special Education over at Princess Anne High School.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
My favorite thing about Salem so far is the family atmosphere. All of the staff and students are so welcoming, friendly and kind.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
This year, I am most looking forward to learning and participating in the traditions that this school has. 

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to spend time with my family, travel and go shopping.

Montana Matthews

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before Salem, I took a two year break from teaching to be a stay at home Mom.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?  
My favorite thing so far about Salem has been getting to know my 9th grade students.  They are studious, full of energy, and keep me on my toes.

3. What are you looking forward to this year? 
I’m looking forward to all of the great lunches provided by the culinary students.  They have been so amazing so far!

4. What do you like to do in your free time?  
When I have free time, I love going to the beach, cheering on the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots, exercising and watching my three sons’ baseball and lacrosse games.

Christopher Milonas

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Real Estate with Dominion Property Management and permanent substitute at Cox HS last school year.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
Working with the students and the help and support of the math department.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?  
Learning and growing a lot as a first year teacher. As well as watching my students mature, grow, and learn.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to watch and play sports, go to the beach, and spend time with family and friends.

Mery Nartowicz

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
I was a Spanish Teacher at Stratford High School in Connecticut. Their team name is the “RedDevils.” Before that, I taught English as a Second Language in Peru.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
Definitely getting to know the staff and students. Everyone has such a positive energy!

3. What are you looking forward to this year?  
I am looking forward to learning more about Salem HS and its great community.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy cooking, going on hikes, the beach, watching international series on Netflix and talking to family and friends that are in CT and Peru.

Sarah Stratman

1.  What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before I came to Salem, I was the marketing teacher at Indian River High School in Chesapeake.

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
My favorite thing has been getting to know the students and staff.

3. What are you looking forward to this year?
I am most looking forward to just enjoying the year and finding my place in the Salem community.

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to be with my family, travel, read and watch garbage Bravo reality shows.

Lenae Zirhheld

1. What were you doing before you came to Salem?
Before working at Salem I worked at Brandon Middle School for four years. Before that I was a substitute and during college at VCU I had multiple jobs ranging from burrito roller at Chipotle, jeweler, and RA. 

2. What has been your favorite thing about Salem so far?
I actually went to Salem and graduated in 2014. My favorite thing so far is feeling back at home. When I transferred to Salem from my original school, it was a whole new beginning for me. I became a better person, found genuine people, and it was the only school I ever liked. As cliche as it sounds, I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. 

3. What are you looking forward to this year? 
My students so far are so incredible. They are good noodles and teach me everyday to be a better educator. I love teaching art with mutual respect and open minds— two things Salem students have overwhelming amounts of. I can’t wait to see all the art I get to encourage and foster in my students.  

4. What do you like to do in your free time?
I love my family— I just got engaged at the end of September, and we got a puppy named Rivet last May. My favorite days are spent with my fiancé and my dog— we watch YouTube, play video games, play matches of Magic the Gathering, I make art and jewelry, and we just enjoy our life together.