A new school year is underway at Mercy High School in Middletown. The 400 students from nearly 50 towns across the state, were greeted by the addition of new faculty members.
“We’re thrilled to welcome outstanding educators to our faculty, who will help us build on a solid foundation of academic excellence and an unwavering commitment to our students,” said Alissa K. DeJonge, ’95, President of Mercy High School. “We take the safety of our students, and everyone on campus, very seriously. For us, education and safety go hand-in-hand. This year’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies intend to keep our community as healthy as possible and allow our faculty and staff to provide the best instruction and interactions with our students throughout the school building and our athletic facilities.”
Classes got underway on September 2nd. There was a palpable excitement to be back on campus to launch this new academic year. COVID mitigation strategies allowed for many Mercy traditions such as the Opening Mass with Bishop Cote and Freshwoman Pin Ceremony to be held in the normal Mercy tradition.
The new members of the faculty in 2021-22 include:
Andrew Carroll – Social Studies and Latin
Having grown up in Franklin, Massachusetts and recently relocated from Colorado to Connecticut, Andrew Carroll, has taught Latin, Social Studies and English, at the middle school and high school level. He prefers to use primary sources in history classes, which helps develop his students’ appreciation for history, and in Latin, he focuses students on being able to read Latin more than reading the hardest texts of Latin. He earned his BA-Classics at UMass Amherst and MA-Classics at University of Colorado - Boulder. He and his wife are aiming to visit all 423 National Park sites, and they’re on their way!
Liam Cahill – English
Liam Cahill earned a BS in Accounting and a Master’s of Secondary Education, English, both from Fairfield University. A native of New York, he is dedicated to teaching secondary school English, a goal since he was a high school student. He is passionate about theatre, theatre studies, playwriting, and music, all of which he views as having a significant place in the English classroom, and is a self-described “Shakespeare nerd.” He previously was a student-teacher at Greenwich High School, worked in the College Counseling Office at Rye Country Day School in Westchester County, and as an Admissions Counselor at Fairfield University. In his classroom, he utilizes model based- and project based- learning, highlights student voice and choice such as through independent reading/reading circles, and aims to assist students in developing the analytical and critical-thinking skills necessary for their next steps.
Justin Michaud – Math
Born and raised in Waterbury, Justin Michaud attended Catholic schools for grammar school and high school. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and Master’s degree in Education, all at the University of Connecticut. Most often described as passionate, outgoing, and dependable, and known to pick up a tennis racket, he has worked in local fast-food restaurants prior to teaching, most recently at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury for the past seven years. He appreciates the close-knit community/family feeling at Mercy, and looks forward to joining the ranks as a supportive role model while providing a first-rate education for Mercy students.
Sangita Ray – Science
With 10 years of teaching experience in India and the United States, Sangita Ray most recently has tutored students in mathematics and science at Newington High School. She grew up in a small town - Alipurduar, India – where her father was Vice Principal of the high school in which she studied. Known for her persistence and perseverance, she earned degrees in physics and education from North Bengal University and Calcutta University, earned numerous certificates of merit, and began her teaching career in Bangalore, India. Also an accomplished artist, her paintings and sketches have been exhibited, including in the U.K. She looks forward to inspiring, motivating and encouraging a new generation of learners and guiding them to make a positive impact in the world around them, calling Mercy “the exact place where I would like to teach.”
Also joining the full-time staff at Mercy High School is:
Tori Giannotti – Information Technology Assistant/Library and Grant Writer, Advancement Office
Tori Giannotti fondly remembers her years as a student at Mercy High School, Class of 2013, where she met her best friend, appreciated her education, enjoyed the annual Walk-a-thon and cake auction, among the activities that provided opportunities for everyone to show their spirit. Then, as now, the Branford native is grateful to be part of the Mercy family. As technology is an essential part of academics, she believes it is important to help students with their devices and troubleshoot common problems, so technology won’t obstruct learning. She also looks forward to assisting in the Advancement Office to help Mercy grow. Tori earned Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Master of Public Affairs degrees from Merrimack College. Prior to joining the Mercy staff, she was Early Learning Coordinator and Science Educator at The South Florida Science Center and last year became a Substitute English teacher and proctored some classes at Mercy.
Mercy High School is an AP Capstone Diploma, Catholic diocesan college preparatory high school for young women, where each student is encouraged to recognize the abilities and strengths that will enable her to achieve her potential. Students are inspired to respect the dignity of others and to provide leadership and service that foster community, understanding and compassion in local and global environments. Students attend from across Connecticut, from communities in Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London counties.
By Marie C. Kalita