This year, AITE has welcomed five new teachers to the school. Ms. Alessandra Armetta and Mr. Alexander Re work in the science department, Ms. Eszter Weisz works in the mathematics department, and Mr. George Schott and Ms. Jeanine Gonzalez work in the special education department. Coming from different backgrounds, each teacher brings a unique set of experiences to the staff. 

Alessandra Armetta was raised in Hartford County, Connecticut. She found her passion for chemistry while studying at Iona College in New Rochelle. She became a researcher in the college’s lab and got to spend time researching abroad in Japan. She received her Masters in Chemistry and Certification for Education in the field of chemistry from the University of Connecticut. While this is her first year teaching as a high school teacher, she taught last year in East Haddam, Connecticut. Armetta came to Stamford because of the praises that she heard from her research advisor, and as to how she got into AITE, “I came to AITE because it is a school of choice, most students want to be here and want to learn,” said Armetta. “I could not have dreamt of working at a better school than AITE and I am so excited to be teaching here,” she said.

Eszter Weisz has been teaching ever since she graduated college in Hungary. She has been teaching math for over twenty-one years. Weisz came to the United States on an international teaching program, since the state of New York had a shortage of teachers. She spent almost thirteen years teaching in New York City before moving to Stamford. She chose to move to a Stamford school because she always wanted to move away from the city, and her children were already attending schools in Stamford. While teaching Algebra 1 at AITE this year, she is also teaching part-time in Bard College at Annandale-On-Hudson, New York.

Alexander Re teaches biology, and is in his third year of teaching. He was raised in New Jersey, but graduated from Elon University in North Carolina. He taught his first year at Graham High School in North Carolina. His second year was asa teacher in Fusion Academy, a one-on-one teaching program where students have individualized classes. He came to Stamford to be close with his family during the pandemic. He has always taught biology, but has also taught environmental sciences and physical sciences. 

George Schott has been teaching as a paraprofessional for over seventeen years. A local to Stamford, Schott has been working as a substitute in the Stamford Public School district for over ten years, in schools such as K.T. Murphy Elementary School. Schott has also worked at Westhill High School’s literacy club and an investment company called Legg Mason.

Jeanine Gonzalez is from the Chicago suburbs. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education a minor in Mild Disabilities, and she received a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. She has taught for over 20 years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Her mother is her biggest inspiration for becoming a teacher. “My mother was a teacher for over 30 years. She was the most significant influence in choosing my career. While completing my courses at Purdue, we had to complete many hours of field experience in different classrooms.  When I was placed in a Special Education setting, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” said Gonzalez. Before coming to AITE, Gonzalez taught in states such as Georgia, Indiana, and New York. She applied to AITE after a friend recommended it to her. “She said that the staff here is very hardworking and supportive of the students.  I did some research and was impressed with what I was learning about the programs here,” said Gonzalez. 

Each of the new teachers came to the profession for different reasons. “I think it’s human nature to enjoy things that we’re good at.  I have always been good at math, and I always think that I’m more a teacher than a math person,” said Weisz. Re was influenced by his high school teachers to love science, especially biology. Additionally, he was saddened when he found that his classmates disliked science. “I wanted everyone to have the same experience that I did, I wanted people to love science as much as I do,” said Re. Schott wanted to pursue a second career in teaching in the field of special education, as there is a current shortage of special education teachers. 

These new teachers are happy to be at AITE. “I love AITE. I was so lucky to be hired here. I could not have described a more ideal school to work at than AITE,” said Armetta. Not only that, but the majority of the new teachers praised the school’s determined atmosphere and the size of the school. “I like small schools because students get the attention they deserve in the classroom,” Armetta said, “The teacher knows each student, what they need extra help with, how they accept help, and where they can help others.” The new teachers all agreed that the smaller the school, the more knowledge is able to be passed around as the teachers get to know the students better. 

The new teachers have been warmly welcomed to AITE, and have already been teaching for more than a month now. They all expressed that they are looking forward to a great year.