Alexis Gray – Science Teacher

What were you like in high school and in College?

I was a pretty good student. I took a lot of science classes in high school. Probably my favorite class to this day was my high school AP Biology class. That was my first higher-level science class. That’s what drew me to study biology in college. I gravitated toward the sciences in high school and college. I was a three-sport athlete in high school. And then I did track and field for the University of Cincinnati for four years. I spent long hours in high school and in college studying. 

Why did you choose teaching?

Two years ago, I started [working with] my former high school basketball coach. I enjoyed working with young people, and she thought I would be a really good teacher, so I gave it some thought. I had thought about it previously, but never took the thought seriously. And then I realized that I do enjoy working with kids, and I really enjoy science. I’d been interested in teaching, but I never thought about teaching in a school, so when she presented the idea I decided to give it a try.

What are your hopes for this school year?

I hope that as I get more comfortable with the delivery of the content, I will also become more creative with how to deliver to the students.

Felecia Hamilton — Social Studies Teacher

Where did you go to high school and college?
Shaker Heights High School and then Kenyon College. It’s a small liberal arts college in Gambier, middle of Ohio.

What is your previous teaching experience?

I’ve spent a couple of summers teaching with the Aspire program at Hathaway Brown. And then I spent the summer work-ing in the Cleveland Intergenerational School and last year I student taught at BMS with Mr. Holman.

How do you like teaching at Beachwood so far?

I really like Beachwood, especially the small class sizes and the opportunity to personally know each of my students. The biggest struggle is learning as I’m going– doing a lot of trial and error. A funny struggle is that I get mistaken for a stu-dent. I like that I’m young, and I feel like I can connect with students, but being so young, I got in trouble for being in the staff copy room the other day, and I had to swear up and down that I worked here.

What are your hobbies outside of school?

I coach middle school field hockey at Shaker. That’s always fun… I’m an avid movie watcher. I also like to watch women’s sports a lot.

Brian Hill — Design Teacher

What is your previous teaching experience?
I taught for nine years in Bay Village and four years at Gilmour Academy.

How does this school compare to others where you have taught?
Beachwood is one of the better places I have been. I have really enjoyed myself these past few months.

How do you like teaching at Beachwood so far?
I love the community feel at Beachwood. All of the students and teachers have been very welcoming. It is always a struggle to come in and figure out year-long projects, but I have had a lot of help from the students and former instructor.

What is your favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is helping students figure out their passions and working on fun projects with them. I don’t really have a least favorite part of school, but I do enjoy sleeping in, so maybe the early starting times.

Tell me about your family.

My wife Kelsey and I have three children– Raylee (8), Layla (6) and Tommy (5). We also have three dogs.

Kristen McGinness – Math Teacher

Have you taught before Beachwood, or is this your first school?

I used to teach at the elementary and middle school levels, and I took a leave when I had my two children. And so last year, I was back here as a tutor. This is my first year teaching since 2014.

What is your favorite part of the school?

Well, I mostly hang out in the math area. So aside from just being in this general area, I like to venture to the library.

What is your least favorite part?

The cold water for washing my hands in the bathroom. It gets very chilly. It feels like putting my hands in ice water sometimes. I like to do like the cold water. It’s fine when it’s warm. But when it gets really cold out, I like the warm water to warm up a little bit.

What were you like in high school and in College?

I was the person who always tried to follow the rules and do well in school. I did learn in college, especially as I got older, and went back and took [harder classes]. I was definitely a nerd in high school, but I did have a sporty side. I played soccer and did dance team and stuff.

What are your hopes for this school year?

Just to help my students grow in their mathematics and prepare them, especially the functions and statistics students.. to help them prepare for college-level math courses or help prepare them in terms of being good consumers of information that they’re going to come across their whole lives.

Erica Stubbs — Teacher for English Language Learners & Title I

What is your previous teaching experience?
BHS is my first school and the only school I’ve worked at. I’ve actually been here since 2019. This is my first full teaching position here though.

Where did you go to high school and college?
I graduated from Shaker Heights in 2012. Then I went to Ohio University for my Bachelor’s in English literature and Baldwin Wallace for my Master’s in education.

How do you like teaching in Beachwood?
I like Beachwood. I feel like the kids are easy to work with and easy to connect with, especially after being here a while. Since the beginning of my career, transitioning into a full teaching position has been a lot easier, especially knowing the ropes with the district.

What are your hobbies out-side of school?
Outside of school I love to read and spend time outdoors, like hiking. I also like to travel. Those are the biggest things that I like to do, but more recently, I’ve been sticking to reading.

Sherri Williams – Guidance Counselor

How does this school compare to your last?

I love Beachwood. It’s totally different. I came from a school district that was urban. When I was doing the research, before my interview, just seeing all the classes that you guys offer, in regards to honors classes and AP classes and the activities and resources that you have, I am just in awe, because I came from a district where resources were limited.

What were you like in high school and in College?

In high school, I was kind of aloof. I valued the importance of working a job over high school. And it wasn’t until I got to college that I started taking things seriously. I guess that’s what helped me to be a school counselor because I can connect with kids who are asking, Oh, what are we doing this for? How’s it going to help me in my future? I want them to see that high school really does matter. And taking things seriously helps you to take things seriously as an adult. So I guess that I can help kids grow from my own personal experience.

Do you have any personal heroes or people who inspired you to teach?

Definitely my mother. My mom is a clinical social worker. She has clients in private practice. She’s worked in a school, she’s worked with all different types of families, and just watching her help people… I guess it was destined for me to do the same thing. She’s definitely my big hero.

What are your hopes for this school year?

I hope to forge meaningful connections so that students see me as someone that they can confide in, regardless of what the issue is, someone that they can lean on and depend on, and that they know that my doors are always open, and that I’m here to brainstorm whatever problems they’re going through– or whatever successes. I want to be a part of those successes too.

Lena Wilner – Math Teacher

Have you taught before Beachwood, or is this your first school?

I started[teaching] a long time ago at an all-girls’ school, Regina High School, which unfortunately no longer exists. And then I found my way to South Euclid Lyndhurst, right down the street. I was a high school math teacher at Brush High School. I decided to retire, and then this long-term sub position opened up, and I thought, you know, I will take one more year. I’m in a very wonderful school community.

What is your favorite part of the school?

How can I say everything? This is just a stunning building. I don’t have to worry about, you know, peeling paint or anything like that. It’s just, it’s stunning. It’s a stunning building and the students are truly wonderful individuals. And so is the staff. And I do mean it. It’s just been so welcoming.

What were you like in high school and in College?

I tell my students that I was that quiet, shy girl sitting in the back of the room, so quiet and always answering quietly. It stuns the students that, you know, the personality that I have in front of the classroom, they find it very hard to believe that I was that quiet, shy young lady in the back of the room. Teaching brought out a different side of me.

Why did you choose teaching in the first place? Do you have any personal heroes or people who inspired you to teach?

Way back when, I was in charge of picking up my younger sister from grade school. I would pick her up, and I would watch the kids line up for the school bus, and there was a teacher there who was always there making sure the kids were ok, and I would look at her and I would see how she would always wave goodbye to the kids, and the kids were always anxious to show her what they did during the school day and what news they wanted to share with her. I thought, wow, this person is pretty special to these kids.