This year at Fossil Ridge High School there are many new teachers to welcome into the Fossil Ridge Community. From Ireland to Argentina, and from rafting to cave adventures, there are tons of interesting things to know and learn about some of the new teachers.
Mr. DeGear is a new English teacher and yearbook advisor. He became a teacher because he “wasn’t a good rock star.” He started out as a drummer in Minneapolis for three years and then went back to grad school to try something new. He’s traveled all around Europe, first with a host family as a highschooler, and then again years later. DeGear is not only a traveler but also a thrill seeker who enjoys rafting the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. This new teacher is also a family man, “[My daughter] gives me a new appreciation for princesses and gumdrops,” said DeGear.
‘Ciao’ (Italian for Hello) from the new math teacher, Mr. Sampera, who was born in Italy and raised in Argentina. “The French have a saying, we work to live, and in the US people live to work,” said Sampera, “Here in America, everyone’s so caught up in working. In Argentina, the culture is much more laid back.” Sampera became a math teacher because he “only needs to bring his brain to work.” But his hobbies go way beyond solving math equations. Sampera also loves to ski, mountain climb, cycle, and he recently learned to sew. One time, when he was coming down off of Mount Rainer, he and his friends were forced to spend the night in a snow cave because a blizzard was coming in. They got out the next day though, before real danger set in.
Over the rainbow and in room W105 you’ll find the new history teacher Mr. O’Dwyer. For most of his teaching career he taught in Dublin for nine years at an all-boys school. O’Dwyer also lived in Japan for a year, where he taught English and met his American wife. He moved to America because of his wife, who has a sister here in Fort Collins. “My favorite thing about Ireland is it’s like you already know everybody,” said O’Dwyer,” It’s a small country, and you can always find something common in everyone.” As for America, O’Dwyer likes the idea that “American’s are open and not necessarily modest when it comes to expressing oneself.” He has a passion for soccer and an Irish ancient sport called Hurling which is cross between lacrosse and hockey.
“Well I went to college to become an orthodontist…but I realized that I wanted to be involved in choir and music every day. It just made sense to switch,” Mr. Garner, the new choir teacher, said. Garner is not only the teacher of five choirs, but he is also the instructor for all things involving technical theater. A love for building and a love for theatre and music don’t usually go hand in hand, but he loves things that are completely unrelated. Garner is also into cooking and woodworking and he used to remodel houses in the summer. Also every summer, he tries to take choir students to Europe for three weeks to sing in cathedrals in Paris and London.
Ms. Defelice, a fellow new English instructor, is bringing a bubbly and fun environment to the classroom. Spirited and bright, Defelice decided to become a teacher because she loves kids, specifically teenagers. A Canadian born, she’s taught at Rocky Mountain High school and now here at Fossil Ridge High School. An avid theatre lover, Defelice is the director of this year’s fall play Metamorphoses, a bundle of short Greek stories revolving around the concept of change. It is her favorite play, and she’s excited to be a part of FRHS theatre and the FRHS community in general.
