*7th Grade ELA Teacher*
By: BHS Staff Profiles
November 3, 2023
Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mr. John Grigson. This is Mr. Grigson’s first year in the Brooklyn City School District, and he has been a great addition. What he is most likely doing in his free time is hiking with family, watching sports, coaching soccer, and grilling. A fun fact about him is that he is very good at naming songs.
Q: How do you like Brooklyn?
A: “I love it! I am fortunate to have a good seventh grade team that has helped me acclimate myself in the district. The staff here is very supportive. I feel like if there are any concerns I might have, I have a lot of options to ensure that things are going smoothly this year. I love the presence that the administration gives. It is very nice to know that I see my principles, often. With Dr. Caleris walking around the district, it shows those who are in charge of the schools. Those in the district really care about the district as well.”
Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?
A: “I would have to say my overall experience through my schooling. I had a lot of really amazing teachers and a couple of male teachers. I looked up to them because I wanted to grow up to be like them and impact lives like they did. They made the class fun and interactive. They also made it feel like a safe space. Overall, the experience I had with school went beyond my studies; it went into the relationships I developed with those teachers, and I am friends with a lot of those teachers to this day.”
Q: How do you learn about the specific learning requirements of each student?
A: “I must develop a really good relationship with my students. At the beginning of the year, I like to give a questionnaire, kind of see what their strengths and weaknesses are. I give them self-evaluations. I touch base with parents regularly and especially at conferences as well, just kind of getting feedback on their child’s overall schooling. I also happen to differentiate in the classroom; that way, I’m hitting on as many learning styles as I can.”
Q: Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what are they?
A: “I am not sure if it is hidden, but I am a decent singer; I can do some pretty good impersonations as well.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
A: “Chios, Greece! That is where my grandfather is from. I think he truly lived the American dream of coming over here with limited funds and making a very good life for himself. I want to go back to where my family started to kind of see what his life was like before coming to The United States.”
Q: What are your favorite sports teams to watch and cheer for?
A: “Anything Cleveland! Any Cleveland sports teams, preferably the Guardians. I love going to as many Guardians games as I can. I also love the Browns, although they make me feel like I am getting older. I like the Chelsea Football Club, too, and that is a London soccer team.”
Q: If you could only listen to one music genre, what would it be?
A: “I will have to go with Yacht Rock. Yacht Rock is the type of ‘70s and ‘80s soft rock you expect to hear on a boat. It is relaxing, and most of the songs have good stories to them. I like that the words and the lyrics are important. I feel like I can just kind of lounge when I listen to that music; it eases my mind.”
Thank you for the interview, Mr. Grigson! We fully welcome you into our community, and we wish you the best of luck through your first year here at Brooklyn and beyond.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 