Swim! PE teacher Carly Lessard pursues her dreams of helping kids swim. Her experience swimming through high school and college made her a great swimming instructor.
Carly Lessard
Q: Where did you go to high school and could you describe your high school experience?
A: I went to Bishop Carol High School in Ebensburg, my high school experience was a lot different being at a private school compared to a big public school; I mean it was good.
Q: How have the first few weeks of school gone for you?
A: Really good. It’s exciting meeting all the students and just getting a new experience.
Q: If you could describe your new classroom in one word what would it be?
A: I work in the pool area, so it’s exciting.
Q: Could you describe your prior teaching experience?
A: This is actually my first teaching experience, so I don’t have anything prior to this.
Q: What got you interested in the subject you teach and what was your favorite growing up?
A: So the subject I teach is swimming with Mr. Kozak. I actually swam in high school and college, so that’s what sparked my interest in this job. And we didn’t have swimming class at my high school because it was a really small high school, so I think this is a really cool opportunity that you guys get to have.
Q: What brought you to Altoona to teach?
A: This is a very unique job. It’s like a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?
A: I always had teaching in the back of my mind.
Q: Why did you choose to teach high school?
A: I like high school aged students because you guys are full of opportunity, and you are just optimistic about your futures. And it’s not like elementary school students where you kind of have to explain everything to them; you guys are old enough where we can have conversations.
Q: What would be a suggestion you have to make AAHS better?
A: I’m not sure. I’ve only been here six weeks, so I don’t know a lot about the school, but everything seems pretty nice right now.
Q: If you could teach another subject what would it be and why?
A: Social studies.
Q: What is your go to snack or lunch item to bring with you to school?
A: Fruit.
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: Chick-Fil-A.
Q: Who has been the most help to you as you have started this new job?
A: Mr. Kozak.
Patrick Kirby
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve been given about teaching?
A: My best advice was to have fun and enjoy your day.
Q: What made you choose to teach at AAHS?
A: The big school. I like what it has to offer. It’s very diverse, and it’s a great place to learn.
Q: When was the moment you realized you wanted to be a teacher?
A: Whenever I was working every night alone in lab and had no one to talk to, I realized I wanted to help people and interact with more people
Q: What is your favorite part of teaching so far? Why?
A: Definitely would be talking to students about learning and how to help them and learning about their lives.
Q: Who inspired you to become a teacher?
A: My chemistry professor: He made you feel like he wanted you to learn and he was fun and interesting.
Q: What college did you go to?
A: I graduated from Saint Francis.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: I like messing with technology and watching Marvel and “Star Wars” movies, hiking, photography and playing D&D.
Q: Why did you choose the subject that you are teaching?
A: My lab experience was where I learned the most. I think it’s fun to teach about a subject students don’t know much about.
Q: As a teacher in a new school, do you feel that sense of nervousness you once felt as a student?
A: I felt less nervous teaching than being a student. I was more nervous about doing assignments than creating them.