Pegi Kalaja

Ms. Pegi Kalaja is currently studying at Oakland University. She teaches science with
Ms. Phillips, Mrs. Slomka and Mr. Duffy, who have helped her become the teacher she is. She
hopes to become a science teacher in the future.
Making sure students are learning is her first priority. “I start off with looking at what the
learning goals are and what I want my students to learn,” Ms. Kalaja said. “I try and think of
creative ways to get students engaged and participating.”
While her experience at Rochester has made her realize how hard teaching really is, Ms.
Kalaja was surprised to find how quickly she was able to live up to these expectations.
One of the hard parts she believes comes with the job is learning how to manage time
while teaching multiple classes at once, and not being able to get to know each student. “The
most difficult thing is not having enough time to get to personally know each and every one of
my students,” Ms. Kalaja said. “It is always rewarding because I love what I do and all the
dynamics each student brings into the classroom. I love hearing their stories and learning about
different cultures and backgrounds.”
The environment at Rochester is something else she enjoys about teaching here. “I
enjoy how active and close RHS is as a community,” Ms. Kalaja said. “In just a short amount of
time here, the staff and personal have welcomed me and made me feel like family.”
Even though it is ending soon, she is making the most of her time here and appreciates
the school she is at. “I really enjoy my time here and I’m sad that this will be over soon,” Ms.
Kalaja said. “I'll miss everyone.”

Aleksandra Luchin

Ms. Aleksandra Luchin is studying at Oakland University and would like to be an English
Language Arts teacher in any secondary grade.
Ms. Luchin has been exposed to many opportunities by working and learning under Mrs.
Cusmano and Ms. Honeycutt. One of her favorite experiences was being able to go on a
leadership conference with Student Government at Little Caesar’s Arena, and seeing how they
work together during different activities and solve problems.
As for working with both teachers, Ms. Luchin describes this as a rewarding experience.
She learns from the freedom she is given to teach, while still allowing the students to learn
everything they are expected to. “My experience with Mrs. Cusmano and Ms. Honeycutt has
been incredible,” Ms. Luchin said. “I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting placement. They
share a lot of admirable qualities that make their classroom a great place to be.”
Working with students is a reason Ms. Luchin wants to be a teacher. “I want to become a
teacher to help students realize they have the ability to succeed,” Ms. Luchin said.
With the combination of helping out with Stugo, and expanding her teaching experience,
her time at RHS, has been a memorable one.”
Robert Johnson
 Mr. Robert Johnson is studying at Oakland University, and wants to pursue a career as a
high school English or History teacher. Along with student teaching with both Mr. and Mrs.
Miesch, Mr. Johnson is also the JV boys basketball coach.
Teaching is something he’s known he wanted to do since early on. “I had some really
inspiring teachers in high school that left a big impact on my life,” Mr. Johnson said. “Since then,
I wanted to be a teacher and I want to try and make every one of my students' high school
experience a memorable one.”
He is working to learn how to always be ahead of the game, and is continuing to adjust
to the teaching life. “[Student teaching] has made me more appreciative of how hard teachers
actually work,” Mr. Johnson said. “Teachers' days don’t end when school is over.”
His time at OU has prepared him to be a high school teacher. “Throughout the teaching
program at OU, the professors prepared me and taught me how to create lesson plans,” Mr.
Johnson said. “I have also worked with my mentor teachers as well when developing lesson
plans.”
A positive part of his day includes working with each of his students. “It has been very
rewarding to develop relationships with students,” Mr. Johnson said. “There is no better feeling
as a teacher than developing trust with your students.”
In his short time here, he’s learned to appreciate is the type of school Rochester is. “The
school culture at RHS surprised me,” Mr. Johnson said. “The atmosphere at this high school is
electric, and it really makes you want to be apart of it. This school is one big family, I never
knew a high school culture like this existed.”
As Mr. Johnson finishes his learning experience here he shares that he is glad he got to
be a part of RHS. “My time at RHS has been truly memorable,” Mr. Johnson said. “I couldn't ask
for better mentors, colleagues, and students. I will never forget my time at Rochester high
school, thank you Falcons!”

Courtney Jacobs

Ms. Courtney Jacobs is a student at Oakland University, and would like to be a high
school science teacher. This is because both teaching and science inspired her, which is
something she wanted to share with others. “One day I got the opportunity to observe a high
school science teacher and I was in awe,” Ms. Jacobs said. “Seeing students engaged in
science was something I thought was incredible. Being able to work with people and teach them
something I love sparked something in me. The more teaching classes I took, the more I knew it
was right for me.”
Her constant communication with people makes her perfect for the job. Mrs. Rosell,
whom she works with, has helped guide her(in addition to coffee). “Mrs. Rosell is amazing,” Ms.
Jacobs said. “Every day I learn something new, and she inspires me to be the best teacher I
can be. I am thankful for the opportunity to work and learn from her.”
Ms. Jacobs values the relationships she has been able to build with both teachers and
studen. “Getting the opportunity to help someone understand a concept in science and watch
their understanding ‘click’ is great,” Ms. Jacobs said. “Building rapports with students, and
having the ability to be a student’s role model/go-to adult is rewarding. Being able to joke with
them, and give advice is one of the reasons I became a teacher.”
Given this opportunity, she has learned how much teachers do for their job. “Student
teaching is one of the hardest things I have ever done,” Ms. Jacobs said. “Teachers do so much
for their students. It’s not just a job, it's a lifestyle. Student teaching has opened my eyes to just
how much teachers do for their school.”
Although she’s not an official teacher at RHS, Ms. Jacobs feels welcomed, and
appreciates all the help. “I want to thank Mrs. Rosell for being the best mentor I can ask for,”
Ms. Jacobs said. “And Mrs. Cusmano for all the work she does as my OU liaison.”

Curt Carson
Mr. Curt Carson is a student teacher from Central Michigan University. He has been
working with Mr. Fox, specializing in physical education and special ed. As a teacher, Mr.
Carson can relate to what high school kids are feeling, since he was one himself. It is what
made him want to be a teacher. “I raised a havoc in school sometimes,” said Mr. Carson. “Being
at that level, and actually knowing where some kids are coming from is beneficial in teaching., it
made me want to come back and teach those students.”
Just like himself Mr. Fox was also a CMU grad which is a way the two teachers
connecte. “He has been very supportive and open to new ideas, based on what we have to do ,”
said Mr. Carson. “He’s also a CMU grad, so he had a lot of the same professors as I did. It’s
really cool to swap ideas and see what’s changed and what hasn’t in that curriculum as well.”
Although he’snew to teaching, Mr. Carson grew up learning about the teaching lifestyle .
That doesn’t mean he knew exactly what he was in for though. “My mom was a teacher, so I
knew the profession growing up,” said Mr. Carson. “I would still say it’s a different ballgame; you
can prepare for it in a e classroom, but until you’ve actually jumped in and gotten your hands
dirty, it’s a completely different game.”
There’s nothing more moving to Mr. Carson than knowing that one of his lessons were a
success. “There’s this feeling that you get just hearing students say ‘that was a great class’ or ‘I
can’t wait to come back tomorrow’,” said Mr. Carson. “It’s so warming and gives me a fuzzy
feeling inside. That’s what’ been really rewarding, seeing the difference that you’re making in
their lives. . It gets me really excited to be back in the classroom .”
Like many other teachers to Rochester, Mr. Carson was impressed by what he was met
with when he came to the school. “The culture here shocked me,” said Mr. Carson. “I’ve never
seen anything like it, e. It’s very pro-student, and the way that the administration works with all
the students is something unreal.”