This year, many people are experiencing Roosevelt for the first time. Apart from the typical freshmen and new students, eight new teachers have joined the RHS community. They teach subjects ranging from business to band and come from a variety of backgrounds.

Dannielle Duda is the new health teacher this year. Along with Health, she teaches Intro to Athletic Healthcare and is the girls JV soccer coach.

So far she has been well received by her students. “I really like being in her class because we do hands-on things, and it’s a lot easier to learn that way,” sophomore Olivia Braden said.

Sandra Rounds has joined the business department, teaching Future Directions and Business Law. She recently graduated from Kent State. Her son has autism, so she spends time researching it to try to find a cure.

One of her Future Directions students, freshman Aleigha Petrekovich, said, “ She’s really helpful and understanding.”

Andrew Sundman is the school’s new band director. He is replacing Bill Davis, who came out of retirement for a year last year after the previous director, Chris Irwin, took a job at a different school. Sundman will be directing the marching band and wind symphony.

“I’m glad we found someone to replace Mr. Davis,” said junior Matt Jackson, a trumpet player in the band.

The new science teacher this year is John Seabolt. He teaches Physical Science and Biology.

Teaching CP English 10 and 11 and tutoring students for the OGT in the afternoons is Jaclyn Cosilio. A recent graduate of the University of Akron, this is her first year teaching. She also works part-time at Macy’s.

Melissa Hospodor is also experiencing her first year teaching at a regular high school. She works part-time, teaching Algebra I and II in the mornings and taking classes at Kent State University in the afternoons.

The new intervention specialist this year is Colleen Mitchell. Before coming to RHS she taught middle school in Florida for 11 years. She does guided study in the mornings and co-teaches How The Body Works and Government.

Rachel Oldham was also hired this year as an intervention tutor.

One thing many of the new teachers have been impressed with is the school’s environment. Cosilio commented on the community and how everyone works together. “It’s a very student-driven school,” she said.

They were also impressed with the amount of school spirit. “The pep rally was great!” Mitchell said.

In general, the teachers seem to be fitting in well. Their students have had good things to say about them, and they in turn have said good things about the school. “It’s like having a new second family. Everyone’s so nice and will go out of their ways to offer help or advice,” Rounds said.