by Marilyn R, Staff Writer
How many years have you worked at Gal? How many years as department head?
“This would be my 12th year working here. This would also be my first year as an ASB advisor”
Why did you decide to teach at Galileo?
“I didn’t have a choice. I got laid off in 2008, I was working at Marshall and was in my second year. The vice principal became the principal here and had a position opened and he made it happen and that’s how I got here. I got lucky”
What are your extra responsibilities as department head?
“Organize and run meetings for the two different student government bodies, one of the executive groups and that is the ASB that runs a lot of the organization around the school like dances. We manage money and the student store. We also look at ways we can impact culture and climate and student opportunities and resources. And making things fun and exciting”
What are the benefits/ drawbacks?
“I don’t know a lot of meetings, I have to deal with other issues and put together all the different other components and admin as well as the student body and government, to get all of them to work together. Conflicting ideas also trying to motivate them. Some of the benefits are that it’s part of the school that can have quick results and direct impact”
What is your least favorite thing about being a DH?
“Least favorite is the meetings I don’t want to sit through anymore but it’s needed”
Why did you want to become department head?
“I wanted to be an advisor because I wanted more challenges and more roles. And like I said I thought it would be a good way to impact the school and its students and their experiences I wanted to bring back the fun things that were missing since the pandemic”
How hard is it to balance your tasks as a department head and classroom teacher?
“One good thing about being an advisor is that I have extra prep and I can catch up on grading and other things but I can balance it because I turn my room into the center for ASB and as well my classes. I think after school is tough because I have kids and have to be places so staying after school longer or dances on the weekends can cut into my time and away from my family.”
How do you think other teachers would describe you as department head?
“A lot of different teachers would say a lot of different things about me”
What qualities do you bring as department head?
“I have a fresh perspective on things I am willing to take chances and think outside the box try to be more inclusive and try to get more people involved in ASB in role and agenda as much as possible and expand it to represent all people involved in the school”
FUN FACT about yourself
“Fun Fact about Seligson is that I like to take students food and owe students money”
