New Faces Around CB

A new batch of teachers have arrived this year to show Christian Brothers what they have to share with their students and the community.

Most new teachers pale at the daunting task of moving to a whole new environment, stuck with hordes of dazed students every class. However, that’s not the case for Ms. Amy Neff and Ms. Kelsey Wong ’11, two of several who are first time Christian Brothers teachers.

Teaching here is a new chapter in their lives, but the Christian Brothers campus itself is like an old friend embracing them once again. Ms. Wong is an alum and Ms. Neff has just as much previous CB experience, having a brother-in-law, cousins, and many friends that are all CB alumni.

For Ms. Neff, this transition was easier, having taught at Mount Madonna in the Santa Cruz area for six years before switching to Christian Brothers. However, this is new experience for Ms. Wong, who just graduated from college in May and is partaking in her “first real job”.

Unlike Ms. Wong, who charged out of the gates of college straight into teaching, Ms. Neff started with different ambitions, originally hoping to be a doctor.

However, after receiving her bachelor’s degree, she decided to major in history, soon after finding her vocation in teaching.

“I want to help people and make a positive impact in life on a daily basis,” she says.

Entering a new school however, doesn’t come easily, and some problems need to be conquered, the erratic schedule Ms. Neff’s greatest enemy.

Ms. Wong also stumbled with the school’s recent heavy reliance on iPads and other technology.

She claims the introduction of iPads and Schoology is quite an interesting idea, not even a thought when she attended as a student, and is happy to work with this new system.

Even though mere weeks have passed by since the beginning of this school year, both teachers are thoroughly enjoying their time here so far.

“I love this great, welcoming campus, and I really enjoy meeting and learning about all of my students,” Ms. Neff proclaims.

Home away from home — that’s how Ms. Neff and Ms. Wong, two first-year teachers here at Christian Brothers, feel while settling into the rhythm of teaching in a new environment.