The new school year has not only welcomed one of the largest freshman classes in recent memory, but also countless new teachers and other staff members to fill out the roster and (almost) accommodate for the burgeoning student population. From the library to the track and field and everything in between, McCallum has found itself host to numerous unfamiliar, but eager individuals looking to teach the next generation of Knights. Of course, we at The Shield would be remiss to acknowledge our own monumental influx of staffers; so many, in fact, that when we decided to charge them with the task for reporting on new teachers, we ran out of teachers well before we ran out of reporters. 

We are proud to present this week’s Tuesday Top 10, a collection of profiles of McCallum’s faculty newcomers, brought to you wholly by the efforts of our own newly knighted reporters. 

A LISTENING EAR: As the new counselor secretary, Arianna Barron worked in a school for the first time in her career last week.

While Barron’s first week as long, she said it was a crucial step toward getting used to her new job.

“I am still trying to feel out what is going to be a good thing for me here,” Barron said. “I am sure I will get some ideas.”

Barron hopes to be a person that students can turn to.

“I can definitely bring comfortability and a listening ear,” Barron said.  “I always want to be here for you guys.”

While her time on campus has just begun, Barron had noticed many things she likes about McCallum.

“I love how inclusive McCallum is and how welcoming everyone is,” Barron said.

Caption and photo by Carson Duncan.

RICH SCORES AS SOCCER COACH: New teacher and head girls’ varsity soccer coach Jason Rich oversees the first varsity soccer practice of the year. Aside from soccer, Rich teaches SCORES, a program designed to provide students with autism all the supplies they need to be successful. 

“My goals for this year are to be a really good case manager for our students, our SCORES’ kids, and to have a successful year as the girls’ soccer coach as well,” Rich said.

Rich has coached soccer for the past 24 years, been a head coach for the last 18 and played for even longer, including for some time in college.

“I think my experience can be very beneficial,” Rich said. “You know, I understand what it’s supposed to look like at a high level, and I’ve had experience coaching high-level teams. I think our players are really talented, so hopefully we just provide them [with] some organization and really good training.”

Rich’s training plan for the varsity soccer team involves conditioning, agility drills and mental preparation so that when the soccer season comes, McCallum’s athletes can excel during game time. Rich also wants to soak up this new McCallum experience.

“I’m just looking forward to the experience,” Rich said. “I really, really enjoy teaching and coaching, so I like being at a new school, and to me, McCallum is an exciting place to be. For me, it’s all about the experience this year, and I’m just going to soak it all up in year one.”

Caption and photo by Elizabeth Nation.

HEDLUND STEPS IN: New teacher Tara Hedlund teaches her fourth-period AP World History on the best and worst ways to lead an empire in class on Monday. Hedlund sticks with teaching world history because of the challenge.

“I love that teaching is always a new challenge, and nothing stays stagnant,” Hedlund said. “You’re always trying to grow your craft.”

Regardless of the challenges Hedlund may face as a new teacher on campus, she plans to stick around because of the benefits a student can gain from a great public school education.

“I stick around in this profession because I believe in the power of public education, and I feel like there are a lot of forces trying to make it harder and harder,” Hedlund said. “I think everyone deserves to be able to grow in a safe space.”

Hedlund also looks forward to becoming a bigger part of the McCallum community. At her previous school, Hedlund wasn’t able to attend many school events due to her commute.

“I look forward to being a bigger part of the community because at my previous school I lived a 40-minute commute away,” Hedlund said. “It was hard to attend school events that students would invite me to since I lived so far away.”

As she looks forward to the rest of the year and the community at McCallum, Hedlund feels her first week was a great start.

“I feel really good about it,” Hedlund said. “It was super successful and positive,”

Caption and photo by Arwen Pelletier.

FROM TUTOR TO TEACHER: Jada Stewart was working her first job as a Mathnasium math tutor when she realized her love for teaching. Ever since winning the Mathcounts competition in fifth grade, Stewart knew she wanted to pursue a career in mathematics.

As a teacher, she says she loves to see her students succeed.

“I love that lightbulb moment that happens when a student gets something,” Stewart said.

After discovering her passion for teaching, Stewart decided to get on track for a career in education, which led her to the education program UTeach at the University of Texas.

“I learned a lot from that program [UTeach],” Stewart said. “I also gained a lot of experience, very helpful experience, that has been able to help me be more successful in my job.”

During her time in the program, Stewart worked as a student teacher, shadowing McCallum’s Algebra 1 teacher Carly Kehn.

“I student taught at McCallum last semester, and I fell in love with the school,” Stewart said. “I love the school culture. Everyone is just so welcoming here, students, staff, faculty and so I really wanted to stay at McCallum.”

Stewart was then hired to fill the position left by Paul Pew following his retirement and is now teaching Algebra 2. She hopes to create a supportive and welcoming environment for all of her students as she goes into her first year as a teacher.

“Something that I do prioritize is my students’ well-being,” Stewart said. “So if all my students are comfortable in my classroom, they’re having a good time, and they are enjoying the content that I’m delivering to them, to me that’s a win.”

Caption and photo by Daniela Di-Capua.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES: According to new registrar Sonia Perez, the job of a registrar is to be a close point of contact between students and parents, enrolling students and making certain processes, such as applying for a driver’s license, easier. She moved from Cedar Ridge High School to McCallum for a change in administrative opportunities.

“I wanted another opportunity to do things, and I would say, have to do things a little bit differently or learn more from other opportunities or positions within schools,” Perez said.

Perez said that there have been a few challenges transitioning between her former district, Round Rock Independent School District and Austin ISD. 

“I was at Cedar Ridge High School and so, bigger population of students there, but I would have to say that I’m coming into this position within a different district, with different processes and procedures,” Perez said. 

Perez believes, however, that the two districts’ goals are similar. 

“We may not all be the same, but I think the goal at the end of the day is still ensuring that we get the kids through high school with the proper courses and hopefully on to the next level, whether that be, if they’re going into a corporate job [or] college.” 

Perez is looking forward to this year at McCallum and getting to know the community here. 

“I’ve just been [looking forward to] being a part of the school, being a part of the community, getting to know our administration a little bit better, getting to know our kids, and letting the kids know that they can come to us,” Perez said. “They can ask their questions; you know, if they need some help, that’s what we’re here for.” 

Caption and photo by Riley Pita.

INSPIRED TO IMPACT: New teacher Cameron Tucker, helps his third-period social studies students during their independent work time on Friday. Tucker is originally from Somerville, Texas and attended Blinn Junior College to receive his associate’s degree. Afterwards, he transferred to Sam Houston State University, received his bachelor’s in history, and was given the opportunity to student intern with the 2020 Division I FCS Football Champions. Tucker then advanced from college and began his teaching career at Mance Park Middle School coaching all boys’ sports.

“After teaching and coaching middle school for the last two years, I wanted a change of scenery to continue to grow as an educator, coach and a person,” Tucker  said. 

Tucker heard from a friend that McCallum had some possible job openings for football, so he pushed himself to apply. 

“[Coach Amy and Coach Gammerdinger] both told me about the wonderful culture and atmosphere that McCallum has, and I was intrigued,” Tucker said.  ”Based on what I heard about the culture, and now what I’ve experienced in my short time here, I can definitely say this is a special place to be.”

In high school, Tucker experienced a mass amount of inconsistent coaching with new football coaches and different assistant coaches coming and leaving each year. This turnover rate is what inspired him to become a teacher. 

“I told myself that one day I was going to be a teacher and a coach, and that I wanted to have a positive impact by building meaningful relationships with my athletes and the rest of the student body,” Tucker said. 

Tucker is anticipating his first Taco Shack Bowl this Thursday and is eager to be a part of the rivalry and tradition. He is also excited to share his appreciation for history to his students all year.

“I look forward to building relationships with the students here at MAC,” Tucker said. “And hopefully one day I can be considered as one of the greatest educators and coaches McCallum has ever had.”

Caption and photo by Harper Maxwell.

COMING BACK TO MAC: Despite the fact that she is on maternity leave, Kathy Matthews met with parents during Monday’s Back to School Knight. Matthews, one of the new additions to the science department, won’t be able to officially step into a classroom until Sept. 16 when her maternity leave ends. While on leave, she is still determined to be hands-on and active with her class.

“One of the ways I’m still engaged with students is by making video and audio recordings so I can engage with the class and do my best to answer student questions through email as soon as possible,” Matthews said.

While Sept. 16 is going to be Matthews’s first time officially walking into a classroom as a teacher, it won’t be her first time walking into McCallum. Matthews is a 2010 alumna. She said it would be an adjustment working with people who used to be her teachers and now are her colleagues.

“I want to call them Mr. and Ms., but it’s a new readjustment from a student and teacher relationship to being colleagues,” Matthews said.

Caption and photo by Aubrey Macedo.

TEACHING IS A SCIENCE: Thea Ramsey joins students and staff this year as a new biology and IPC teacher. After attending the University of Arizona and then teaching for two years, she’s ready to get to know McCallum.

“So far I really like all the students” Ramsey said. “There are a lot of fun, interesting people, and it’s been really fun getting to know everybody.”

Along with getting to know everyone, she’s also excited to share her love for science with the students.

“I love science personally, so it’s really fun to share that with everybody,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey loves to teach using hands-on labs and activities to make the lesson more fun for her students.

“I think science is the easiest subject to make fun because there’s lots of hands-on activities,” Ramsey said. “You get to really engage with the world around you.”

Overall, Ramsey is eager to join the Knights for the 2024-25 school year and hopefully many more to come.

Caption and photo by Nico Williamson.

A HELPING HAND: After spending two years in California, Ann-Marie Reynolds, McCallum’s new athletic trainer, is back in Texas. Prior to her stint in California, Reynolds was an athletic trainer at Akins and for the softball team at UT.  Although it is her first year as a teacher, it is her fifth as an athletic trainer. Her job is to be a first responder to all sports-related issues on campus. 

“We’re on campus all day, at all the practices, all the games, especially home games, so we’re the first to see any injuries,” Reynolds said. “If it’s something serious, it helps that we know all the athletes. If someone’s out of the ordinary, it’s easier for us to spot it versus, a doctor not knowing the person, and then we also get to help athletes get back to athletics as fast as possible.”

Reynolds looks forward to working alongside fellow athletic trainer Matthew Johnson. 

“There are a ton of athletes,” Reynolds said. “Having two athletic trainers kind of spreads the load a little bit with practices, so then we both kind of get a normal work schedule, and it’s not one person doing all the work.”

Reynold’s happy place is on the field, surrounded by students. 

“It’s awesome, and a little fun,” Reynolds said. “I get to watch sports all day and be outside all the time. I don’t have to be stuck in an office all day.”

Caption and photo by Sophia Manos.

MAC’S RISING STAR: Mathew Zuniga talks to Mike Harris about the coming school year. Zuniga joined McCallum as the new librarian. During the first few weeks of school, he has been helping students with anything they need.

Zuniga has always loved to read and started out teaching English at Del Valle Community School. When he learned about McCallum, Zuniga said he immediately knew that the school was where he wanted to be.

“When I first visited McCallum, I knew it was the right choice for me,” Zuniga said.

Zuniga attended the University of North Texas and earned his master’s degree in library science with a school librarian certificate in 2021.

Zuniga wants to make the library a more open place for all students.

“The school I worked for before this, there was a locked library with no librarian,” Zuniga said. “So I wanted to go to school to become a librarian so I could take over the library and make the library a place everyone could come to.”

Zuniga was recognized for his contributions to his campus community, winning the 2022 Rising Star Award, presented by the University of North Texas. McCallum’s location and reputation also contributed to his decision to work at McCallum.

While McCallum might be bigger than where he previously worked, he is excited to get to know the community

“I’m most excited to get to know the students and staff this new school year,” Zuniga said.

“I wanted to look at the schools closest to my home,” Zuniga said. “McCallum happened to be the closest, and I ended up hearing tons of good things about it from friends working here.”

Caption and photo by Tallulah McAuliffe.

BRIDGING THE GAP: Patrick Healy joins the staff as the new liaison for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Healy’s job is to bridge the gap between the TSBVI and McCallum, bringing students from TSBVI to McCallum to take classes that are not offered on their campus.

“If a student decides that they want to take a certain class, but we don’t offer it, I’m in charge of finding creative ways for them to take that class,” Healy said.

Healy also works on translating classwork and slideshows into Braille, and aids students by explaining many of the visual aspects of classes to his students. Before working with McCallum, Healy was an English teacher for the TSBVI.

Healy was offered the position when the former liaison for McCallum retired. He was unsure about taking over the position until he shadowed the former liaison for a couple weeks and quickly became very fond of McCallum.

“I really loved the students, and I really loved that it’s a Fine Arts Academy,” Healy said. “That’s fascinating to me.”  

Caption and photo by Maddie O’Connor.

FROM MISSOURI TO MAC: Jarvae Williams, the new campus safety monitor, hopes to use this opportunity as a foot in the door to becoming a teacher here at McCallum. She moved to Austin five years ago after living in St. Louis, where she was a teacher and hopes to continue her teaching journey here. 

“I’ve always had a love for children, so this just felt like the right place to be,” Williams said.

Caption and photo by Nellie Eschberger.

EXCITED START: New social studies teacher Lia Ferrante starts at McCallum with an open outlook and hoping to enrich hopefulness. Ferrante teaches only world geography but said it will be good for her seeing as she loves freshmen. 

Ferrante said growing up she found social studies rather dull but found her passion for it when she became an adult. She’s excited to help brighten the subject and bring life to her classroom. 

Coming from being a student teacher at Bowie High School, she has never had her own class before. Ferrante said she is liking the culture at McCallum.  

“There’s a sense of inclusion that you don’t get at other schools,” Ferrante said.

Ferrante is looking forward to seeing her students improve throughout the year.

Caption and photo by Adele Seeboth.

PINTO MEANS BUSINESS: Giovanna Pinto joins the McCallum faculty, teaching both the business information and money matters classes. Pinto said that the school year is off to a great start and that she has enjoyed getting to know everyone, especially the students.

“It’s going really well,” Pinto said. “I’m enjoying the students so far, and I think that they will like me as well.”

Pinto explained that teaching CTE (computer, technology, & education) classes, she wants to see her students grow and learn important communication skills.

“I want to teach more new students how to behave in front of a lot of people.” Pinto said. “I want to teach them how to communicate better.”

Pinto said that she was drawn to McCallum because of its positive energy and environment, and that her favorite part of the school so far has been the students.

“I did the interview process and I really liked their energy, I liked the environment,” Pinto said. “My favorite part about teaching here has been the students, they are really nice.”

Caption and photo by Katie Martin.

EXCITING NEW UPBRINGINGS!: AJ Katz said he has enjoyed his first week as a special education teacher and as a soccer and football coach. 

“Everyone has been very welcoming and helpful this week,” Katz said. 

Katz has been working in the district for 14 years, and had previously heard exceptional things about the student body and overall atmosphere of McCallum, which is what brought him here. 

“I’m looking forward to helping kids and getting them to where they need to be,” Katz said.

Caption by Josie Linton and Eva Sanchez and photo by Josie Linton.

FROM TUTOR TO TEACHER: Special education teacher Miles Korzekwa enjoys McCallum’s classrooms and community. When he’s not teaching, he enjoys running, the outdoors and his dog, Sam. Before coming to McCallum, he was a tutor on campus at the University of Texas for two and a half years.

“I really like McCallum so far,” Korzekwa said. “It’s a lot different from where I graduated. My class had 69 people, so this is massive. But I’ve really enjoyed the culture here and everyone’s welcoming.”

When he was looking for teaching jobs, McCallum offered an attractive location, but during his job interview and a campus observation allowed him to see that there was a lot more to like about the campus and the special education department than just where it was.

“Seeing what I had already heard from some people about McCallum actually in action was really cool to me,” he said.

The city of Austin offered other benefits beyond an ideal workplace.

“I’ve been trying to get into running again, so Austin’s perfect for that.”

He also said he wanted to become a special education teacher because it gave him a chance to tap into his talents and prior experience in finance and as a tutor.

“I wanted to combine both of those things,” Korzekwa said.  “With special education there’s a lot of data analysis but you’re also getting to work one on one with kids, which is why I didn’t want to go into finance, which isn’t really working with people. I wanted to see the progression throughout the year and keep building upon that, and seeing actual partners being made. I’ve worked with a lot of students, and I really like working with students because they typically want to be there, and that’s always enjoyable.”

Photo and caption by Delaney Lavelle.