Science, math gain most new teachers
New English teacher Mrs. Emily Brownlee leads her students to the north parking lot during an August fire drill.
September 2, 2010 • By Allie York
Filed under News
Notre Dame welcomes eight new teachers this year: five joined the Math and Science departments, and one each joined English, Social Studies, and the Fine Arts departments.
According to Science department chair Mrs. Linda Pecora, an overload of physics students is the primary reason for the need for the new science teachers, with three teaching Physics.
Among the new teachers is Mr. Mario Solari, originally from Lima, Peru. He is teaching both Algebra and Physics. He graduated from the University of Illinois and Columbia University, majoring in electrical engineering. Many people are unaware of his ability to play guitar and his love for soccer.
Physics teacher Mrs. Sara Leins, originally from Chicago, graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology and earned her master’s in science education at Rockhurst University. While science dominates Mrs. Leins’s career, she can speak fluent French and has a love for reading, running, and drinking coffee.
The third Physics teacher is not new to NDP, but is new to the Science department. Mr. Michael Hollowell, who subbed full time last year, joins Mr. Solari and Ms. Leins.
Originally from Laguna Niguel, Calif., in Orange County, Mrs. Amber Lazaris teaches Chemistry. After majoring in chemistry at the University of Arizona, Mrs. Lazaris earned her master’s in secondary education at Northern Arizona University. Besides teaching Chemistry, Mrs. Lazaris also speaks Russian fluently, has been a vegetarian for six years, and loves to bake.
Mrs. Cynthia Barberio teaches Conceptual Calculus, Pre-Calculus Honors and Geometry Honors. She earned her degree in mathematics at Clemson University and the College of New Jersey.
Mrs. Barberio, who said she loves to travel, explained, “I taught high school math in Cairo, Egypt, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras.”
An Arizona native, Ms. Megan Holcomb graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor of arts in education in secondary education for mathematics, and a minor in art history. She teaches teaches Algebra II Advanced. In her spare time, she loves to watch Sci-Fi television and write math songs.
Also full-time in the Math department this year is Mr. Paul Schwalbe, who subbed last year and now teaches Algebra III and Algebra I Advanced.
Mrs. Emily Brownlee teaches English I and III, Creative Writing, Speech and Debate, Study Skills, and English I Communications Lab. Mrs. Brownlee grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa.
Her U of I pride was obvious as she said, “I’m one of the biggest Hawkeye fans on this planet and cannot wait for football season to start! Go, Hawks!”
Originally from Nampa, Idaho, Mrs. Catherine Freericks earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Oregon. Mrs. Freericks teaches Jazz Band, subs around campus, and conducts the orchestra for the spring musical. She earned her master’s degree from University of Arizona and her doctorate at Arizona State University. She said that playing the piano, walking her dogs, and mothering her two sons are some of the many things she enjoys.
When Mr. Allan Stam isn’t teaching Sociology, he’s subbing around the NDP campus. Originally from New York, Mr. Stam graduated from Fairfield University and New York law. He has five grown children and six grandchildren He also coaches soccer.
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