THE RETURN OF THE EYE

*Student Monitor*

By: BHS Staff Profiles 

January 13, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Ms. Melanie Vukmire. Being a Brooklyn High School alum, she has numerous roots connected to Brooklyn outside of her job. After working at the Cleveland Clinic, she returned to this school district as a student monitor and has been working here for the past 15 years. Some hobbies that she likes to do in her free time is work the sports games for the high school, knit, garden, and yard work. A fun fact about her is that she has a lead foot while driving.

Q: What inspired you to work with students who have disabilities?

A: “It really wasn’t my intention, actually. I was asked to do it once, and I didn’t do it because I figured it would take someone special with a lot of patience to work with them. But then, I eventually did it, and I loved it!”

Q: What is your funniest teaching moment?

A: “I was with Mrs. Meeks, and we were putting a book together. We had all of this confetti, so I just took the whole box and dumped it over her head!”

Q: What are some of your favorite activities to do with your students? 

A: Last year, I was working in the high school, and the kids put on the Groovy Granola Cafe, where they would make breakfast for the teachers and deliver it to them. That was very fun for them; they really enjoyed that.” 

Q: How do you feel when you reflect on the growth of your students?

A: “It’s incredible! To see a light bulb go off in their head and see them grow is just an amazing feeling.”

Q: What accommodations do you offer for your students?

A: “I’m always there to listen.”

Q: How do you go about spreading kindness and positivity? 

A: “That’s a big thing for me. I always try to smile at everyone and do things as simple as saying, ‘Good morning!’. I try to give people lots of compliments because a kind word truly goes a long way.” 

Q: If you could have one wish granted by a genie, what would it be?

A: “For everyone in my family and my boys to be successful. I would also get rid of hate.” 

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: “Top Gun Maverick: I watched it several times over the Summer. It is really good.”

Q: What is your #1 pet peeve?

A: “Unkindness and disrespect!”

Q: Orange juice or apple juice?

A: “Neither…Iced tea!”

Thank you for being so kind and for allowing us to interview you. You truly are a remarkable woman with kindness and patience, and your students are blessed to have you in their lives. We wish you the best throughout the year.

*Intervention Specialist*

By: BHS Staff Profiles 

January 6, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Intervention Specialist, Mrs. Sarah Kaczmarczyk. She has been working in the Brooklyn City School District for 20 years. In her free time, she likes to exercise, cook, and spend time with her family. One fun fact about Mrs. Kaczmarczyk is that she has a Newfoundland dog named Snuffaluffagus!

Q: How do you stay organized?

A: “I use a lot of drawers and a filing system. I have a different drawer for everyday, and then, I lay out the materials that I’m going to use that day in order, so if I’m absent, the substitute can go through the day and find the materials they’ll need.”

Q: What keeps you motivated while teaching?

A: “I love to see the growth the students make. It’s probably the best part of the job just seeing the progress and seeing the students grow.”

Q: Why did you want to become an intervention specialist? 

A: “I like being able to work with students in a small group to work in a group or one-on-one. I really enjoy the close interaction that I get with the students as an intervention specialist.”

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

A: “Seeing the progress the students make and seeing the look on their face when they’ve been working on something for a while and they finally master it.”

Q: What do you do to motivate yourself when teaching is challenging? 

A: “I do a lot outside of work. I exercise everyday and try to keep myself in shape and healthy. I think that helps with stress relief.”

Q: What was the best gift that you have ever received? 

A: “Gifts from students! The little gifts I get around holidays like candles or ornaments. It makes me feel like I’ve made a difference.”

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: “Pizza and ice cream! But not necessarily together.”

Q: How was your Winter break? 

A: “Very nice and relaxing.” 

Q: What are you looking forward to most in this new calendar year? 

A: “Continuing to see my students grow and talking more and just continuing to see what they can accomplish in general.”

Q: Describe your family. 

A: “I have two daughters. My one daughter is in third grade, and the other is in sixth grade. I have a husband. And we have a big, giant, brown Newfoundland dog named Snuffaluffagus!”

Thank you for letting us interview you. Keep being great, and keep doing what you are doing. And if possible, please bring Snuffaluffagus in for a visit.

*Art Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles 

December 16, 2022

This week’s final Staff Spotlight goes to Mrs. Marcie Lowell. This is her twenty-sixth year of teaching in the Brooklyn City School District. She has taught in other schools as a substitute, but overall, her main career has been here. In her free time, she can be found gardening, creating art, baking, or playing with her dog. Something you might not know about Mrs. Lowell is that when she was in college, she took a radio broadcasting class, and she later received her broadcasting license. 

Q: As an art teacher, what strategies do you use to inspire creativity in your students?

A: “I try to get them to think on their own. I ask a lot of questions, specifically a lot of ‘Why?’ questions. I really like to try to have them figure things out when looking at artwork. For example, I like to challenge them and ask ‘Why do you see?’ and ‘What do you think is going on?’. I think kids know a lot more than what we give them credit for. As a teacher, I’m here as support and facilitation with what they’re trying to do.”

Q: What do you like most about being a teacher?

A: “I love to see the light bulb go off in kids when they figure something out, especially when they think it’s hard, and they don’t think they can do it. I love to encourage them and see them persevere through something really difficult and help them realize that they really can do something they didn’t think they could do.”

Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned as an art teacher?

A: “I think that I learn a lot from my kids. I think sometimes as teachers, we know content, but sometimes, you can learn a lot from the kids, especially things that weren’t expected. They teach you a lot on how to do things differently as a teacher or how to take another approach. As a teacher, we’re lifelong learners, too, and sometimes, we forget that. The kids are good at helping to remind us of that.”

Q: Who is your favorite artist? 

A: “I don’t always pick favorites simply because it’s hard, but some artists do stand out to me. I’m inspired by and I love looking at Claude Monet’s work because of nature; I love nature. People like Vincent van Gogh and Frida Kahlo just because they persevered through so much. Frida persevered through her pain, and van Gogh persevered through little to no support. I just love the work that van Gogh did; I really think he was misunderstood, and I often wonder how different his life would be now. I think artists do things very differently, and they take that risk; they don’t do what ‘the norm’ is, and I try to teach the kids to be like that, too, and be okay with it.”

Q: What is the most amazing aspect about you, and how can you use it in your teaching? 

A: “I think just being comfortable with who I am and how different I do or approach things. I try to influence the kids to be okay with being different. At the end of the day, you’re the one you’re with, so don’t be afraid to show that difference.”

Q: What are your New Year’s resolutions?

A: “I generally don’t do New Year’s resolutions; I like to think of the new year approaching as a reflection more so than making new goals. All in all, I just want to figure out how to spend more quality time with the people who I care about and be present in more intentional ways.”

Q: If you had the ability to solve any problem in the world, what would you choose?

A: “Right now, just looking at our world and what’s happening, if I could solve anything, I would want it to be for people to love each other more. I feel like there is so much hate right now in so many different areas, and I just wish people could see people for the good that they are instead of focusing so much on the negative.” 

Q: What’s the best gift you have ever received? 

A: “My kids are my most treasured gift.”

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: “If I had to pick, I really love Italian food. I really love lasagna and pasta.”

Q: If you could grow up in any decade, which one would you choose? 

A: “I feel like I’m more of an older soul. I often think that I could live during the 1800s. If I had to pick something more recently, it would be the 50s, but for the most part, I’m perfectly happy where I am right now.” 

Thank you so much for allowing us to interview you, Mrs. Lowell. We wish you the best Christmas season and a very Happy New Year. Stay cozy! 

*1st Grade Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles 

December 16, 2022

Chosen for this week’s second staff spotlight is Mrs. Borowy. She has been working in the Brooklyn City School District for 22 years. An activity that she likes to do in her free time is watch her daughters play in club volleyball tournaments. A fun fact about her is that she loves watching the long-running soap opera, General Hospital. 

Q: What did you like/dislike about remote learning?   

A: “I disliked not having direct contact with my students.”

Q: What inspired you most to be a first grade teacher?

A: “I always played school when I was little, and this is always what I wanted to do with my professional career.”

Q: What is your overall goal for your first grade students?

A: “As first graders, I want them to learn how to read and to be successful in school, overall.”

Q:  In what kind of environment are you the most productive?

A: “A quiet environment.”

Q: How do you motivate yourself to take on difficult tasks?

A: “I set a mindset, I make lists so I can accomplish what I need to do, and I set a goal.”

Q: Would you rather have more money or more time?

A: “More time but money doesn’t hurt, either. However, time is good.” 

Q: If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would it be?

A: “Katie Renkas!” 

Q: What is your favorite dessert? 

A: “Chocolate ice cream.”

Q: If you could be on any game show, what would you choose?

A: “Jeopardy.” 

Q: What is your favorite decade?

A: “That’s a good question. I would say the 90s.”

Thank you for allowing us to interview you, Mrs. Borowy. Enjoy your Christmas vacation and new years.