New teachers have first day of school

By Amy Jiang
HUB Staff Writer–

Joining the ranks of DHS staff are an influx of new teachers, who, like the sophomores, experienced their first day at DHS on Aug. 22.

Among them is Robyn Hernandez, who started her first day by teaching a senior English class. “The first week is exhausting,” Hernandez said. “It’s like all of a sudden running a marathon after resting for three months.”

David Achimore is another English teacher new to DHS  this year. But as a DHS graduate, he’s no newcomer to campus.

According to Achimore, returning to DHS has become a fantastic experience. “I am able to be part of a staff and school that gave me so much support as a teenager,” he said.

The English teacher was impressed by the students’ activeness on the first day. “My first day was a blast,” Achimore said.

Bill Williams, a new teacher in the social studies department, said his first day was a great start to the school year with the warm and welcoming staff.

“It was fun to see past students,” Williams said of his first day. “I think most of them were happily surprised to see me.”

Williams, who is also a DHS graduate, taught at Holmes Junior High before coming to DHS. “One of the vice principals said to me earlier this week, ‘We always knew you would be back, we were just surprised that it took so long.’”

Hernandez, on the other hand, faced a few hurdles on her first day with her sophomore classes. “I heard one student say on his way out, ‘This is going to be the lamest class ever.’”

It would have stung more if she had been new to teaching, Hernandez said.

“There’s more disrespect from the sophomores,” Hernandez said. “They aren’t afraid to let you know they don’t like English.”
As for Hernandez’ seniors, “They have a different vibe. Seniors know how to play the game.”

Something new that Hernandez wants to try this year is for her seniors to have a yearlong project in which they can explore and develop something they are passionate about.  She hopes it will keep them focused, because “senioritis is real.”

For Achimore, one of his main goals is to create a learning environment where students can become “stronger and more confident writers.” This goal was inspired by one of his English teachers, Mrs. Blake, during his time as a student at DHS. “Hopefully I can do my best to follow in her footsteps.”