Moving up from the middle school to the high school can be a tough challenge for freshmen; luckily, many friendly faces have moved up with those freshmen, such as assistant cook Denise Wurster, assistant principal Andrea Franco, and Spanish teacher Colleen Bertoni. One new aspect of High School that has affected the newcomers is Bulldog Block.
“I’ve gotten used to it,” Bertoni said. “What’s challenging is knowing who should be in my classroom [during this time].”
It can be an adjustment for teachers in regards to classroom management during Bulldog Block, but for administration, it’s the variety in schedule that takes some getting used to.
“I think right away, just knowing that like every Tuesday and Thursday, it’s slightly different, and just keeping that in mind,” Franco said.
The transition between middle school and high school may be an adjustment, but the staff here at CHS has helped many feel right at home.
“Dr. Strong, Dr. Angel, Mr. Morris, and the office staff here have been really helpful.” Franco said. “They’ve been helpful in letting me know what I need to know about high school and my role.”
There were a variety of reasons why many of these staff members decided to make the transition to high school. Some include the need for a change or simply the opportunities that are available here.
“In April of last year, it was official that I would be transferred,” Bertoni said. “I would say, as much as I’ve enjoyed teaching seventh and eighth grade, it could get a little repetitive teaching two classes, and now I have multiple classes.”
For Franco, it was being introduced as stepping up and giving herself a challenge, which she chose the opportunity for.
“I got the job in August, just a little bit before school started.” Mrs. Franco said. “At first, there was a need. I felt like that [Chelsea High School] was where I wanted to go and grow in my profession. It also seemed like a wonderful opportunity for a new challenge.”
Wurster expressed that she wanted to move up so that she could work in a more positive environment. She has worked at the high school in the past, so she already had an idea of what it would be like.
“I actually started at the high school and then went to Beach after, and now I’m back at the high school,” Wurster said. “I felt I needed a change. I was getting a little frustrated and being more negative than I wanted to be, so I felt the need to come over here.”
