As the school year opened, John Carroll welcomed approximately 15 new faculty and staff members who began their time at their new school in a unique way: online. The Patriot reached out to our newest community members to learn more about them.

Ms. Erica Curtis
French 1-AP French

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? I liked John Carroll’s reputation as having rigorous academic standards and expectations of its students.
Did you have any ties to JC before coming here? No.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place? While virtual teaching and learning have its challenges, students are rising to the challenge and are meeting each lesson with a positive attitude.
What would students be surprised to find out about you? I completed over 70 hikes last year.
What would people find on your own playlist? It’s pretty eclectic. Anything from Arcade Fire to Kate Bush, passing by 70s Country-Western music, and jazz artists like Ahmad Jamal Quintet. Of course, there are also plenty of French and Francophone songs by Stromae, Aya Nakamura and Serge Gainsbourg.

Ms. Mary Beth Cochran
Chemistry, EnviSci, Biology

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? I was looking for a career change, and when I started to read and understand the mission and values of John Carroll and its philosophy of education, I wanted to be a part of it.
Did you have any ties to JC before coming here? There are a few students at JC who I taught in their middle school years.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place? I think The John Carroll School has made an impressive attempt at creating the best possible scenario for learning, and, I think it’s going well. Personally and professionally, I have been challenged because I miss having my students in front of me to gauge their comprehension and to get to know them. I can’t wait to see JC students in my classroom.
What would students be surprised to find out about you? I love bees.
What would people find on your own playlist? It depends on what I am doing, but here are a few of my favs: Yo-yo Ma (Really, Anything with a cello and/or piano in it), Lady Gaga, Imagine Dragons, The Score, Maroon 5, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Ottis Redding, George Jones, Sugarland, Amanda Lambert

Ms. Lindsey McCumber
English 1 and US History

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? I graduated from JC in 2014 and had an immeasurably wonderful time while being a student here. The school culture is unmatched in both the faculty and students – I’m still not quite sure how it’s different from other schools, but it just has that “something” that makes students feel welcome and like part of a family. I hoped that it would feel the same as a member of the faculty; it does! I love my job – I would never be able to do anything else – so I feel very blessed to be able to do what I love to do in a school that has always held a special place in my heart.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place? Virtual teaching is difficult; I am very high-energy, and I think class culture and environment are huge contributors to a positive experience as a student. When students come into my classroom, I have relaxing music playing (sometimes Jazz, sometimes beach music, who knows!), the lights dimmed, and sometimes coffee or hot chocolate just because. I miss that the most – letting students know I care about their comfort and well-being. Writing and reading is so much more fun when it feels like you’re in a coffee house!

Mrs. Lisa Schultz
English 1 and English 2

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? ​I have been a part of the John Carroll community as a parent of three children: Luke ‘17, Emily ‘19, and Eric ‘22, and I wanted to teach in a place that feels like family.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place? ​Teaching virtually has been successful, but nothing takes the place of being together in the classroom. Nonetheless, everyone is working hard and doing their best.
What would students be surprised to find out about you? ​I have not seen many popular movies such as the Star Wars movies, E.T., Harry Potter, and Hunger Games among many others!
What would people find on your own playlist? Van Morrison, Grateful Dead, James Taylor, U2, 80s Dance Music

Mrs. Jennifer Pearson
Biology/St Joseph’s Program

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? I had worked at another school for about 10 years; my children are mostly grown, and I am ready for a new adventure.
Did you have any ties to JC before coming here? My only tie to JC was through Mr. Durkin. We worked together for two years as learning specialists at Loyola Blakefield.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place Virtual is hard, but it is good to be back on some type of schedule.
What would students be surprised to find out about you? In my younger years I was a field researcher. I spent six summers studying birds in the Northeast. During this time I lived with no running water and no electricity. I have three kids. My son is grown and planning a wedding for July 2021. My daughter attends Mercyhurst in Erie, PA, and my youngest son is a senior at Loch Raven High. My favorite activity is hiking. I think I have hiked all of the trails around Loch Raven Reservoir and Cromwell Valley Park with my dog Buddy.
What would people find on your own playlist? I don’t listen to music that much. I prefer podcasts. I love listening to Crime Junkies and Jordan Peterson.

Mr. Michael Cotter
Honors Algebra 3, Honors Precalculus, AP Calculus AB

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? I joined John Carroll to work at a school with an emphasis on the holistic formation of all students. John Carroll has a faculty/staff culture which demonstrates ongoing commitment to teamwork, planning and safety.
Did you have any ties to JC before coming here? Principal Durkin was my speech and debate coach in high school, and he was vice principal at my previous school for two years. I am thrilled to be working with him again.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place? I have used digital resources extensively during my teaching career (including online tutoring), so the transition has been smooth so far. It has been challenging to modify my normal classroom activities for a group setting, but I am looking forward to making the most out of the resources we have available.
What would students be surprised to find out about you? I love cooking and eating extremely spicy food. I also enjoy sharing spicy snacks with students.
What would people find on your own playlist? Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Funk, Blues, Jazz, & video game soundtracks

Ms. Samantha Stewart
Studio I & II, Ceramics I & II, and Intro to Drawing

Why did you want to come to John Carroll? Teaching at John Carroll is an excellent and exciting opportunity, not only because I went here, but also because I am teaching ceramics. I have a degree in Interdisciplinary Sculpture, and I have not often had the opportunity to teach high school students ceramics.
Did you have any ties to JC before coming here? I am a returning alumna.
What have you thought about your experience thus far starting virtually at a new place? If someone were to tell me that I would be starting a new job in a time where I couldn’t physically meet my new students and on top of that trying to teach them ceramics digitally, I would have told them they were crazy. While it has been challenging to teach online and trying to navigate this new world, it has been comforting being back in a familiar place that feels like home even after all this time.
What would students be surprised to find out about you? I have trained as a welder.
What would people find on your own playlist? An eclectic mix of R&B, Folk, Country, Hip Hop, Classic Rock, Indie, Pop, and Motown.

Additional new faculty/staff members include Mr. Martin Droney (Bus Driver), Mr. Kenneth Goedeke (Religion), Ms. Kristin Kirkpatrick (Math), Ms. Emily Park (Counselor), Mr. Joe Proud (Learning Commons/Attendance), Ms. Jenna Reynolds (Counselor), Mr. Laserian Ugoh (Religion), and Dr. Angela Wolfe (World Languages)