The English department has welcomed teacher John Gudenzi to The John Carroll School. He joined the department in the second semester and is now teaching both tenth and eleventh grade English classes.
Mr. Gudenzi is well-versed in the subject of education as he taught Philosophy at Towson University.
As a first-year teacher at JC, Mr. Gudenzi teaches five college preparation English classes.
While Mr. Gudenzi is a teacher and writer, he has many other hobbies outside the classroom. He loves to spend time with his family and play the acoustic guitar.
He has quickly adjusted to the welcoming JC community.
He said, “My favorite part about the JC community so far has been the people – both students and faculty.” Mr. Gudenzi commented on John Carroll’s inclusive spirit, especially in the English Department.
As a new addition to the school, Mr. Gudenzi is finding his footing in an unfamiliar place.
English Department Chair Matthew Blair, said, “We are very excited to have Mr. Gudenzi to join the English Department and work with our students.”
Mr. Gudenzi expressed how starting as a new teacher in the middle of the year is not an ideal situation, but through help from other teacher he has been able to adjust.
Mr. Gudenzi said that teaching at JC is different from teaching at Towson University.
“First, the subject I taught at the university was Philosophy. I studied English in college, so I have a foundation of knowledge there, but the two subjects are quite different. Second, there is a strong sense of community and relationships that can be formed at JC, where at the university, it is a bit more difficult to establish these kinds of things.”
Mr. Gudenzi has been able to attend a few JC events since he started. “The event that I have enjoyed the most so far has been the Spring Literary Tea. . . I was really happy to see a handful of my students share their art and to see the community join together to celebrate the arts. Academics and sports are no doubt an integral part of JC, but the arts are just as important. I hope the Tea was an inspiration and a call to the arts for everyone who was able to attend.”
His advice for his students is that “if you want to do well, you have to put effort into your endeavors. The great thing about this is that everyone can try hard, which means everyone can be successful.”