Faculty in Focus

A brand new faculty member, an alumnus who teaches at St. Benedict’s and A former faculty member who returned in 2024-25, answer the question, “Why do I teach at St. Benedict’s Prep?” 

 

 

I decided to teach here at SBP because I have to say, it just felt right the first time I read our Mission Statement and what it upholds. After I graduated from the University of Rochester, I taught in a public school in Washington, D.C., and then in a New Jersey charter school. But reading about St. Benedict’s on LinkedIn, I was intrigued. In the interview with Sr. Ann, I learned that working with students here at St. Benedict’s should not feel like a job but instead a mission. I wanted to be part of the mission from that point forward, first as a teacher’s aide and now as the Kindergarten lead teacher. My favorite part of working in kindergarten is observing the students learn and grow every single day with their ability to have a brand new day everyday.

Esperant Kazzembe
Kindergarten Lead Teacher, Moderator of Elementary Division Soccer Clubs

 

 

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Since I walked the halls as a freshman, the motto “Benedict’s Hates a Quitter” and the phrase “Hard work beats talent that doesn’t work hard” have been driving forces shaping the man and the teacher I aspire to be every day. In these hallways, I learned the importance of hard work and perseverance. I learned to be grateful for what I had and to work so hard that I created my own “luck” by staying on top of my work. That work earned me a place at Bowdoin College and a degree in mathematics. You see, we can all create our own luck. Just as 14-year-old Richard learned here that through hard work, anything is possible, I aim to teach my students the same lesson and help them find their own “luck.”

Richard Araujo ’17
Girls Prep Division Mathematics Teacher

 

 

 

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“Group Leaders, stand for attendance.” It had been almost 25 years since I had heard those words, and as the Group Leaders rose, the hair on the back of my neck stood up with them. As the attendance litany began with Joe K. and Prof Blood, I smiled to hear some new names memorializing people that I knew or knew of – Katherine Thornton, Regina Blackwell, Pearl Coleman. As Dr. Lansang rolled into his rendition of “Stay Up,” I could hear echoes of Reverend Winstead’s voice in the chorus. I had the great fortune to spend the formative years of my teaching career at a school unlike any other in the country. I am so grateful for the opportunity to come back this year and make another small contribution to this amazing place.

Trevor Shaw
Middle Division English Teacher