Q&A: Fun Facts About New Faculty

The Charlotte Catholic High School community welcomed 20 new teachers for the 2023-2024 school year. Some agreed to share a bit about themselves in response to a few simple questions:

1. What is one word that you think your students would use to describe you?

2. If you missed a day of school, who would be your celebrity sub?

3. What was the best/funniest moment in your high school years?

4. What would be your classroom entrance song?

5. What are you most looking forward to this school year?

Mr. Nelson, a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, is new to teaching high schoolers but has taught some military officers. He spent most of his life in Charlotte and graduated from Georgia Tech. He currently teaches ninth and tenth graders Advanced Geometry and Advanced Algebra.

1. He believes his students would describe him as lighthearted.

2. As a Patriots fan, he would love to have Tom Brady as his celebrity substitute.

3. Senior Year Prank Failure - putting peanut butter on locks

4. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

5. He’s excited to see his students grow as people, learn with each other, and develop better study skills.

Ms. Eanes is an experienced English teacher; in fact, she has taught the subject for over 30 years. She has experience from other schools in High Point, NC. She teaches tenth grade English and eleventh grade Honors English at Catholic.

1. She believes her students would describe her as fair.

2. Tom Cruise does all his stunts and could probably handle Ms. Eanes’ classes.

3. She enjoyed spending time with friends.

4. Any song by Bruno Mars

5. She is excited to get to know her students better and teach new books.

Ms. Langlinais is not new to teaching Spanish. Originally from Bolivia, she has spent ten years working in CMS and four years in the Hillsborough County School system. She finds Catholic different from the other schools because she can share her faith.

1. Ella dice que sus estudiantes pensarían que es “organizada” (Organized in Spanish).

2. She quickly answered that she would love Shakira to substitute for her.

3. She valued the friendships she developed.

4. “Creo en Mi” by Natalia Jiménez

5. Too many great things to just pick one

Mr. Burke, from Laurel, Maryland, is excited about joining the Cougar family and to begin the next chapter of his life in Charlotte. As a new member of the Theology department, Burke’s five year teaching experience makes him a valuable addition to the team.

1. He would say his students would describe him as organized.

2. As a theology teacher, of course he would select Pope Francis as a substitute.

3. Cross country and track practices were where he met a lot of his friends and were some of the most difficult yet enjoyable parts of his highschool years.

4. “Mars, Bringer of War” by Gustav Holst from The Planets

5. Learning about the state, the environment, and more about his students

Ms. D’Ettore is a new freshmen English teacher. She taught in large Virginia public schools, worked with international students, has a background in professional writing, and taught writing to military officers.

1. She thinks her students would describe her as thorough.

2. For a substitute, she would prefer someone commanding like a football player.

3. She has lots of memories such as being part of Homecoming Court, Student Council, and planning the dances.

4. The generic “dun-dun-dunnnn” music

5. Getting to help students to write more effectively and get excited about literature

Mr. Prys is a new math teacher at CCHS this year. However, he is not new to the MACS system; he has taught in the area for over 20 years. Originally from Michigan, Mr.Prys moved to Charlotte, attended South Meck High School, and spent ten years in the business world.

1. He believes his students would describe him as practical.

2. As a football fan, he would pick Patrick Mahomes.

3. His favorite memory is hanging out with friends and playing sports.

4. “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones

5. He looks forward to watching his students grow throughout the years and achieve great things.

From Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks area, Ms. Warner has just made the transition from a small school where she spent almost four years of her career to the Charlotte Catholic community. She recently obtained her masters and is now a ninth and tenth grade English teacher.

1. “Accepting”

2. She would pick Harry Styles as her celebrity substitute.

3. Getting to know her class better towards the end of senior year, the feeling of unity

4. “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance

5. Getting to be part of a tight-knit school community and going to football games

With an engineering degree, Ms. Kosanovich is a true mathematician. The former CMS teacher worked at a software company and a consulting company. Ms. Kosanovich has three kids, one being a freshman at Catholic.

1. In her opinion, both her children and her students would describe her as embarrassing.

2. If given the opportunity, Ms. Kosanovich would choose Melissa McCarthy.

3. Being a part of the plays and musicals

4. “This Girl is on Fire” by Alicia Keys

5. Making connections with people and students

A former Kennebunk, Maine resident, Ms. Francis is joining the English department as a freshman teacher. She worked at St. Gabriel Elementary School as a teacher’s assistant and as an autistic support teacher previously.

1. “Nice or fair”

2. Sandra Bullock

3. Her favorite memory was when she was driving the wrong way without knowing in Driver’s Education.

4. Something upbeat and happy

5. Learning all the technology

Spanish teacher, Ms. Morris, taught at Winthrop University for fifteen years and is not new to the subject. As a native of Sicily, she also has taught Italian.The biggest shift for her is from going from college-aged students to teenagers.

1. “Passionate”

2. Jennifer Lopez

3. The nice, comforting environment

4. Although she could not think of the name, the song speaks about confidence.

5. She could not fully decide because there were so many options but settled on developing relationships with the students.

Also joining the Math Department this year is Mr. Rawls. He has two years of teaching experience in South Carolina. The former banker is new to the subjects Algebra and Geometry. In addition to teaching, Mr. Rawls will be coaching the JV baseball team this spring, hopefully leading them to many victories.

1. “Nice”

2. As a 1989 fan, he would choose Taylor Swift.

3. His favorite memory is senior night for baseball, hitting several home runs and beating their rivals.

4. “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift

5. He is looking forward to the baseball season.

This year, Catholic welcomes an assortment of new teachers, faculty, staff, and students who are forever a part of the Cougar family.

Survey taken by new teachers