Did you know that some of Kenwood’s teachers have interesting hobbies outside of school? From break dancing to disc golfing, our teachers are more than just the subjects they teach in the classroom. 

Once the bell rings at 2:30, most students rush home to pursue other activities, ranging from sports and jobs to simply hanging out with friends. We all have lives outside of school, and it’s often overlooked that teachers too have personal lives. They harbor passions and personal interests, that some have been pursuing for a long time, while others picked them up when they had extra time during the pandemic.

Some surprising hobbies include those of Mr Fortier, who spends his free time working on cars and mountain biking. He became interested in mountain biking after participating in an Adventure Race, where he needed skills in swimming, running, kayaking, and mountain biking. Reflecting on his experience, he states, “I liked mountain biking the best because it was the easiest one to do.” When asked for advice from students seeking their own hobbies, Mr. Forteir suggests students starting with smaller endeavors to familiarize themselves with the hobby before jumping into the bigger stuff. Like Mr. Forteir, Mr. Figola also enjoys mountain biking.

Those are not the only teachers with hobbies at Kenwood. Did you know that Ms. Tomasura picked up disc golfing during quarantine? You might also be surprised to learn that Mr. Woodward used to be a breakdancer in his youth. Additionally, Heather Ferro, an Administrative Assistant, plays pickleball 3-5 times a week.

Miss Jelovac finds joy in baking and decorating cakes, with her famous creation being a Carrot Cake which she often treats her Kenwood colleagues to around school celebrations.  She also indulges in Zumba dancing to stay active and energized.

Adding to the mix of diverse hobbies, Pennington, now known as Chappell, shares, “I do makeup for events outside of school. I’ve also been part of a Video Game Orchestra and recently performed in a musical.” Para Isabella Innes Macy, the costume person for the drama program, expresses her passion for creativity beyond the classroom. “I love to be creative outside of school and work on costumes for friends who do plays and cosplay,” she shares.

The hobbies that teachers pursue outside of school can also benefit them inside the classroom. For instance, Mrs. Thompson tutors elementary and middle school students in reading, which can benefit her at Kenwood because she can identify signs of reading deficiencies in students and provide them with the necessary assistance.

Many teachers integrate their hobbies into their work. Mr. Fortier, a health teacher, incorporates his firsthand knowledge of fitness from his hobby into his lessons. James Michelucci, another teacher, adds, “One of the hobbies I do that is relative to my content area is body building!” Mrs. Smith, an anatomy teacher, leverages her passion for fishing by teaching the anatomy of fish. Similarly, Mrs. Reed, a counselor at Kenwood, reflects her love for artistic hobbies like watercoloring in her office. She remarks that being surrounded by art in her office helps her relax, and the same can be said for the students who visit her. 

Mr. Clark dedicates his time to helping run a camp for abused and neglected children in the summer. He explains, “I help run a camp for abused and neglected children in the summer. It is called Camp Opportunity and has a website campopportunity.org. I have been involved with the camp since 1997. My 16 year old son is now helping and volunteering at camp in my cabin.”

English special education teacher Ms. Miller indulges in the hobby of amateur mycology, exploring the woods to collect and identify mushrooms. In addition to Miller’s mycology pursuits, both Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Scott-Cerezo find enjoyment in gardening. Joan Cooper, not only a gardener at the Marshy Point Community Garden but also a published poet and fiction writer, frequently engages in author signings and events at independent bookstores on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Adding to the list of nature enthusiasts, Mr. Laila practices beekeeping. Art teacher Josh Wolfe reveals, “I have a small farm and am currently raising 7 chickens!” 

Moreover, Ms. Single travels the world to literary-focused areas, enriching her understanding of literature and culture. Mrs. Glenn writes nonfiction for magazines and books aimed at women and enjoys photobooking and photography, all of which complement her role as the journalism and yearbook teacher.

Teachers all throughout Kenwood have hobbies and personal interests that help them to become better teachers. From fishing to collecting mushrooms, these educators demonstrate talents beyond the classroom. Each individual’s unique interests shape their identity, often reflecting in their teaching style.