Smile! De’Angelo teaches his class and shows them something in hand motion. “I love teaching the kids in school,” De’Angelo said.
Jim De’Angelo
Q: Where did you go to high school and could you describe your high school experience?
A: I went to high school in Bishop O’Hara school. I had a great high school experience. It was a smaller school but everyone knew everyone else.
Q: How have the first few weeks of school gone for you?
A: The first couple weeks have been a bit hectic coming from elementary school to secondary has been an adjustment. Just like the students, we have to learn to adapt.
Q: If you could describe your new classroom in one word what would it be?
A: My new classroom is clean because everything is brand new and organized.
Q: Could you describe your prior teaching experience?
A: I was an elementary physical education teacher from K-5, and I taught at Juniata Elementary and Baker Elementary.
Q: What got you interested in the subject you teach and what was your favorite growing up?
A: I became interested in teaching this because I loved to be in physical education growing up, and I just knew I would become one.
Q: What brought you to Altoona to teach?
A: My wife was born and raised in Altoona, and when we got married that’s when I moved to the Altoona area.
Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?
A: Having a great teacher growing up is what inspired me to become a teacher, including my mom who was a teacher as well.
Q: Why did you choose to teach high school?
A: I think at high school you have a chance to make a bigger teaching difference in a kid’s life.
Q: What would be a suggestion you have to make AAHS better?
A: Somehow getting all the student body more involved in activities and clubs would make a difference here, whether it’s sports, drama or others.
Q: If you could teach another subject what would it be and why?
A: Another subject I’d teach would be a shop class so that I could get better at stuff at home.
Q: What is your go-to snack or lunch item to bring with you to school?
A: My go-to snack to bring to school would be peanut M&Ms.
Q: If you could choose one fast food restaurant to be in the school cafeteria what would it be and what would you order there?
A: I would get Chick-Fil-A. I would order a spicy chicken sandwich with mac n’ cheese and a drink.
Q: Who has been the most help to you as you have started this new job?
A: Mrs. Palfey has helped me a lot since I started this new job because I’m new to teaching health class, and she’s been guiding me through the curriculum.