In her last month at NCS, Mrs. Gyorfi reflects on everything that makes NCS memorable for her. By Kensington Balam, Staff Writer I had the privilege to interview our very own Mrs. Gyorfi about her life before becoming a counselor and the journey God made for her at Norfolk Christian. Mrs. Gyorfi had many adventures before coming to Norfolk Christian. Before becoming a counselor, Mrs. Gyorfi had the blessing of doing a six-month internship in Africa with a non-profit that helped teach women business. This stirred in her heart a passion for social work from God, and not only to help in Africa but to come back to the US to help. Mrs. Gyorfi received her undergraduate in Christian education and ministry and her masters in social work. This led to getting her license after 3000 long hours and a board exam, which in the end was totally worth it. Moreover, of course between all these adventures Mrs. Gyorfi met her future husband Mr. Gyorfi on the swim deck at Wheaton College. At first, they were friends, but after coming back from Africa and many swim meets, they realized how much they loved each other and married a little while after graduation. Since then, Mr. Gyorfi has always been the person Mrs. Gyorfi would pick to spend the day with, and she loves seeing him every day at school, swim practice, and home. They are one of the best teacher duos ever. Photo by Lily Strickland; During swim meets, Mrs. Gyorfi was always found enthusiastically cheering on the team from the pool deck. Mrs. Gyorfi obviously had so much talent and love to give, so after Mr. Gyorfi got a job at Norfolk Christian and Caleb and Micah came here, Mrs. Gyorfi took the job opportunity presented to her. Mrs. Gyorfi was surrounded by so much love and care and was so happy to be able to do things that public schools could not. This included praying with students and including the holistic side of counseling. One of the greatest joys that Mrs. Gyorfi had was being able to be united under one Savior, Jesus, as a community. Mrs. Gyorfi also said that one of the biggest blessings is the students she met in her five years at Norfolk Christian. She says her students have helped her shape her life and see the world differently. The way they share what God has done in their life has taught her so much and it is a blessing to walk with such wonderful people. Of course, she has a special place in her heart for the swim team, which she described as the most amazing people.
Sadly Mrs. Gyorfi and Mr. Gyorfi are leaving this year and we will always miss them, and Mrs. Gyorfi says she will miss us too. She has had so many memories but one of her most memorable was last year, although it is a memory that would initially be thought of as terrible. One day during swim practice at ODU, there was a shooting on campus, leading the Gyorfis and the swim team to evacuate the premises. The day of the ODU shooting was a very emotional day in which darkness thought it would win, but Mrs. Gyorfi saw so much of God’s light in the students overwhelm the darkness. The students were united and were so kind to both each other and the lifeguards. In a situation that could have overtaken them, it ended up not defining them but Christ came in and defined them. In all, Mrs. Gyorfi is a blessing to our school and will always be. We love you Mrs. Gyorfi and thank you for everything you do for us!
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By Sophia Randall, Staff Writer High school can be a whirlwind of learning, emotions, stress, and the like; it is teachers like Mr. Shoaf who help students the most by guiding them through important concepts and offering advice when needed. This week, I was honored to get to know him more through an interview. Mr. Shoaf began teaching over 39 years ago, spending the past 19 at NCS teaching math. Unphased by these many years, he is continually motivated by the incredible process of his students' growth. His favorite part of teaching is helping prepare students to pursue whatever God is calling them to do; this desire extends beyond math. He wants to teach critical thinking, a valuable skill applicable in every aspect of life. This dedication is evident in everything he does, from getting up early to play basketball with students and friends, to coming before school to help students grasp difficult concepts, and always being there for people in need. Photo by Lily Rhodes; Mr. Shoaf teaches classes ranging from Algebra II/Trigonometry up to AP Calculus BC. Teaching, however, does not come without its challenges, both professionally and personally. In school, Mr. Shoaf has learned that encouraging students to be the best they can should always be the number one priority. Reflecting on God's word, he cites Zephaniah 3:17, a key verse reminding him that God rejoices in all people, not just those who excel academically. He constantly strives to encourage students to give their best, but if their best looks different than another student's, then that is okay. In his personal life, he has faced many challenges in the past year. Last summer, he was diagnosed with cancer; he was forced to step away from the classroom he loves, which he said was the hardest part about the whole situation. But even in the face of this extreme adversity, Mr. Shoaf found solace in his faith. He advised others in a similar situation to "trust God's timing" and "pray and be in God's word." He also emphasized the importance of community; the people who went out of their way to spend time with him and offer encouragement made an immeasurable impact on his recovery.
Success, for Mr. Shoaf, is not measured by grades, achievements, or wealth. It's about living each day in the moment and striving to bring God glory in everything you do. In his own life, he noted that no tangible accomplishment has ever compared to watching his family grow and his children, Ashley and Jonathan, flourish. He loves his children, grandchildren, and wife more than words, and has loved being in each of their lives. In fact, his perfect day reflects this family-orientation; he wants to wake up early to play basketball with friends, enjoy breakfast with his wife Tami, take a walk, and close the day out with dinner or another activity with family and friends. Mr. Shoaf's final remarks hold a powerful message: "Treat every day like it's a special day and give your best in everything you do. Try to go through the day at a slow enough pace that you see God's hand in your life." His sincere dedication to his students, unwavering faith, and commitment to living each day to the fullest make Mr. Shoaf a truly irreplaceable part of the NCS community. By Grace Rex, Staff Writer While many consider math a difficult and boring subject, Norfolk Christian has many fantastic teachers dedicated to fostering a love for math in their students. I had the opportunity to sit down with one of these teachers, Mrs. Shoaf. While learning about her teaching style and enthusiasm for math, I also got to know a bit more about her past and what brought one of our community’s most beloved teachers to NCS. Mrs. Shoaf grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with a single mom and three sisters. She spent her first two years of college close to home, at Messiah College. While there, she met Mr. Shoaf, and later married him. She then transferred to Old Dominion University, where she graduated college with a major in mathematics. She has been living in Virginia for almost 40 years now and is happily married with two kids, one granddaughter and one grandson on the way. Photo by Lily Rhodes; Along with Mr. Shoaf, Mrs. Shoaf teaches a SAT prep class at NCS. Mrs. Shoaf started teaching at NCS around 2000, which was when her children began school, as she wanted them to attend NCS. Mr. Shoaf was an alumnus of NCS, and after Mrs. Shoaf worked at NCS for a bit, he also joined her as a high school math teacher. She has stuck with NCS through many administrative changes. She currently teaches three different levels of math, including Algebra 2, Pre-calculus, and Statistics. For Mrs. Shoaf, she “always knew [she] wanted to be a teacher” and has found her job very rewarding. She enjoys “helping someone who doesn't think they can do something, be able to do it.” She also loves working with students who have “math anxiety”, helping them gain confidence in both themselves and their abilities. One fun fact about Mrs Shoaf that she shared with me is that she loves classic rock, especially from the 80’s and 90’s. She also loves karaoke.
Mrs. Shoaf also offered some important advice to NCS students, encouraging students to prioritize their relationship with Christ: “Your relationship with Christ is more important than anything else. More than grades and activities.” She believes that if everyone does this, then “everything else will fall into line.” While Mrs. Shoaf enjoys seeing her students succeed in math, above all else, she wants her students to have a relationship with God. Mrs. Shoaf is a perfect example of the kind, Godly teachers we are blessed with at NCS. By Grace Rex, Staff Writer The Posch family has had a long legacy of working at Norfolk Christian. Rachael Posch, the newest and youngest Posch, joined the NCS team a few years ago. I had the privilege to sit down and talk with Ms. Posch about her job at NCS. So with no further adieu, here are some things you should know about Norfolk Christian’s youngest teacher, Ms. Posch. Ms. Posch was born and raised here in the Tidewater area. She is a Norfolk Christian graduate herself. Then, she went on to attend Old Dominion University, majoring in General Biology. She said she “never pictured herself working at NCS but the Lord works in mysterious ways'' and has enjoyed working with people who taught her and her family. Ms. Posch works as a high school paraeducator, meaning she “has the privilege to work with students who may struggle academically or have other things that challenge them.” She said she loves helping them in any way she can. Her ultimate goal at NCS is to “support students academically, spiritually, and emotionally. And just give them someone to rely on”. Ms. Posch said her favorite part about working at NCS is “the people.” She loves how “it's a place that can see beyond the grades and really see the person behind the grades”. Getting to know students as people, not as grades, is just one thing Ms. Posch does daily. Photo by Lily Strickland; Ms. Posch is known for her kind and funny personality in her interactions with students. A fun fact about Ms. Posch is she loves to travel. She told me a few places she has had the privilege to go to including all over the US, the Bahamas, Mexico, Iceland, Italy, France, Germany, and Ecuador. She is incredibly grateful for all the experiences and places she has been and hopes to continue to travel in the future. She also described herself as “an adrenaline junkie”, one example being going skydiving when she was 18.
I asked Ms Posch if she could describe herself in one word and after much consideration she landed on “passionate”. She said that she can get “fired up about things and [be] a good advocate for things [she] believes in.” I spoke with a few NCS students who can attest to that as well. Junior Ella Nixon said that she loves how “caring and selfless she is”. The consensus at NCS is that Ms. Posch truly cares about her students and will fight to help them in any way she can. Ms Posch said that she hoped that “When [we are her] age, [she] hopes [we] remember that [she] was someone who cared about [us].” I asked Ms Posch if she had one message to give to NCS what it would be. She replied with two different responses. To NCS as a whole, she urges everyone to “never lose sight of why this school has started - to be a safe haven for Christian students to grow and shine and defend faith in public.” To the students specifically, she said “Be authentically you, and be kind.” She also specified that “grades aren't everything!” She stressed the importance for students to “work to the best of your ability like you are working for the Lord.” She finished by saying to everyone, “The way you interact with people makes a difference.” Ms. Posch works hard alongside all of our Norfolk Christian teachers to ensure that all students not only get a good education but also feel valued and loved. This passionate personality is what sets Ms. Posch apart from everyone else. If you ever need an advocate, stop by the Student Learning Center and ask for Ms. Posch. By Sophia Randall, Staff Writer In the educational sphere, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of future generations. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mrs. Crapanzano, an English teacher and department head at Norfolk Christian. Mrs. Crapanzano, known to students as Mrs. C, is a Norfolk Christian alumna who recently earned her Masters in English. She cited her grandmother as an inspiration for this pursuit; watching her grandmother get her doctorate sparked the desire for Mrs. C to do the same. Mrs. C’s process of getting her masters was tough, filled with many late nights, much like when she pursued her undergraduate degree, except this time, her educational path was specialized to her love for reading and writing. Despite this, Mrs. C’s hard work and long nights were worth it because she was able to learn more about what she loves. Mrs. C took over teaching AP Language and Composition and English 11 just last year. A key feature of her teaching philosophy is emphasis on encouragement and critical thinking. She wants every student to leave her class having learned something important, even if they don’t pursue a future career in English. Similarly, Mrs. C aims to foster an environment that supports students. For Mrs. C, teaching is more than the mere relaying of knowledge -- it’s about developing relationships that motivate students and enrich their knowledge. Photo by Lily Strickland; In addition to teaching AP English Language and Composition and English 11, Mrs. Crapanzano also teaches a Duel Enrollment English class. As with any profession, problems are inevitable. Mrs. C opened up about some challenges that she has faced recently, such as her husband’s indefinite deployment. However, instead of looking at these difficulties with despair, she offered advice to anyone who may be facing hardship in their own lives, emphasizing the importance of perspective. She believes that you can either let obstacles debilitate you, or look at them through a new lens, letting the Lord guide you through the troubled waters.
Upon reflecting on her life and career, two valuable lessons stand out to Mrs. C. From teaching, she has realized that flexibility is one of the most important traits to have. It is hard to predict the behavior of her different groups of students; a plan that works for one class might not work for another. She always strives to do what is best for her students, which often includes being flexible. Mrs. C has also learned much from reading, where the importance of perspective takes center stage. Reading has allowed her to view situations from endless viewpoints, enriching her understanding of the world. Through challenges, lessons, and learning, Mrs. C stands as a beacon of inspiration for anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her, students and coworkers alike. Mrs. Crapanzano’s story is not just about teaching -- it’s a testament to the power of education in shaping our hearts and minds. NCS’ newest Computer Science teacher discusses his passion for the subject and teaching. Natalie Duckworth, Senior Editor, and Bailey Silva-Pulliam, Staff Writer Mr. Ames' journey with Norfolk Christian started in kindergarten but paused when he left the school in 7th grade. He says that “NCS found me - I didn’t seek it out, per se.” He had been working at his church doing IT (Information Technology) and media when he was told about an open position for a computer science teacher by a friend of the Gyorfis. “I ended up applying by the end of July, and it worked out by the grace of God.” One of the most important things to Mr. Ames is his family. He shared a little about his wife, Courtney, and his two children, daughter Erin and son Caleb, who was just born about a month ago. He also told us how he loves to show off pictures of his kids to anyone he can. Photo by Lily Rhodes; Mr. Ames motivates students to realize that: “What is in front of you is not the whole story. It is not all that God is doing in the world” when they face challenges. For Mr. Ames, computer science has always been one of his biggest interests. It started with taking computer classes in middle school, where he developed a fascination with computers. However, he noted that this passion developed through his individual work, outside of school: “There weren’t computer classes like there are now. I did computers on my own.” He eventually turned to working in IT, which transitioned to him teaching here at NCS. While he still is enthusiastic about computers, “once it becomes your job, it is a struggle to make it fun.”
Teaching at NCS has given Mr. Ames a different perspective on working with computers. While it is hard to watch students struggle and spend a long, frustrating time working on something, “seeing the moment of excitement when they figure it out has been fun to watch.” For Mr. Ames, one of the most rewarding parts of being at NCS is always having the chance to connect with God. However, he recognizes that it isn’t always easy: “The challenge especially is being in a Christian school and making [your faith] real and making it your own. It is easy to be hardened to the Holy Spirit and the opportunities God has given you.” Mr. Ames’ Spiritual journey started in college, where he faced several big challenges, and had the realization that “you have to trust that God has a plan and will be faithful to what he has given you. … God doesn’t give us the answers, He gives us Himself.” Mr. Ames encourages students to continue pursuing God, despite the challenges that they face, and to build a personal relationship with Him. A Teacher Feature on our Fine Arts Department By Grace Rex and Reese Perez, Staff Writers The question, “Do you think teaching the arts is important in the education of students?” is a loaded one. We asked our Norfolk Christian arts teachers this very question to help better understand why the arts are not just important, but essential. Mrs. Jackson Mrs. Jackson believes the arts allow us to reach a part of ourselves we never would be able to access or express ourselves. As Christians, God created us and all this beauty around us to influence our thinking, and the arts give us a chance to express the endowed creativity we gain as image bearers of God. Additionally, Mrs. Jackson sees music as a special form of learning, stating that: “With music, you’re learning a whole new language, and students don’t think about it that way. It’s like learning Spanish in a way. You’re having to, as a student, at least in music, learn something in a whole new way.” Since people can struggle to express themselves healthily, having a creative outlet, such as a canvas or music, is both rewarding to them and to others who might understand and give them a safe space. Mrs. Jackson says that since we were made in God’s image, we are creators, and can express this in unique and amazing ways. While intelligence and sports are a crucial part of self-expression, the arts allow for a deeper connection with God and fellow man that exceeds physical or mental strength. It is a connection that holds no boundaries—a use for worship, praise, and freedom. Mr. Haymes Mr. Haymes emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the arts, finding that “understanding how to utilize the gifts that God has given us, with communication on a spiritual level, with regulating your emotions and using the fruits of the spirit in a way that is constructive and healthy” is what makes the arts so important for high school students. The arts are a crucial piece in achieving a deeper connection with the Lord. Furthermore, the significance of the fine arts is not just limited to its spiritual implications. Mr. Haymes sees the arts as a healthy outlet for expressing oneself. Along with this, he believes that when energy and passion are kept in check, the arts can play a vital role in self-control, allowing for healthy emotional development. Mrs. Judd Mrs. Judd believes the fine arts are essential to growth and development. She says that “just as math creates structure, the arts help give compassion and empathy.” She finds the arts inspiring, unifying people through their shared passion, which speaks to them. Through art, a variety of backgrounds come together for a common thing: to create something beautiful. Science has shown that participating in the arts activates a different part of our brain. Well-rounded students need this to achieve their full potential. The arts also create a sense of community, for example, an individual singer can sound good, but delightful harmonies come from groups. Finding a community due to the arts can be nourishing, helping with important social skills such as working with and trusting others. Mrs. Judd compared the arts to a foreign language; they give students a break and allow them to learn more than they would in traditional classes. Some students excel in the arts, and giving them that outlet is necessary. Photo by Lily Rhodes; Mrs. Judd (left) and Mrs. Jackson (right) are working hard to prepare for the joint Windsong and Concert Band trip to New York City over Spring break. Mrs. Law
Mrs. Law believes that art is essential for people of all ages. She sees it as a way to express one’s emotions and the driving force for innovation and culture: “Experiencing the arts is the most effective means of encouraging inventiveness, creative expression of inner thoughts, cultural awareness, and understanding, not to mention offering tools for people to interpret and describe the physical world around them, as well as sharing their subconscious or divinely inspired creative ideas.” Mrs. Law does not see the arts as a nice “addition” to one’s relationship with God, but rather an essential part of it, stating that: “Without the arts, we would be missing out on a deep part of who we are and how our creator made us to fully enjoy life.” The arts provide and encourage free, independent thought, not only affect our relationships but also develop a variety of other skills. Mrs. Guyot Finally, Mrs. Guyot addresses why the arts are overlooked and underfunded, and why they are not as acknowledged for the important role they play in students’ development. Mrs. Guyot views the issue of the arts being ignored as a matter of how they are perceived in a world where the importance of facts are stressed: “We tend to value more concrete things that are black and white, and when something is subjective and based on an opinion we tend to value those things less. I think as a society we tend to value those hard facts more.” Like her colleagues, Mrs. Guyot views the arts and creativity as an integral part of the Christian worldview, and for the emotional, relational, and mental development of young people. It has been proven to be not only an outlet for ingenuity, but also for freedom and the pursuit of unity. Art ignores race, religion, and culture, reaching all that see or hear it. It tugs at the heart of and reaches the minds of the seeking. Throughout time, people have admired the arts of other nations, and it continues to bring many together. By providing fine arts classes, schools allow for development in many different ways. The arts are essential and should be celebrated as a valued learning experience. Where barriers may appear, art has shown itself to be the ideal conversation starter—a perfect addition to a daily practice. The arts encourage creativity, stimulate different parts of the brain, and even help with spiritual growth. Arts are not just another elective; they are a critical part of the education system and should not be overlooked. Grace Rex, Staff Writer I had the privilege to sit down with Norfolk Christian’s newest theatre teacher, Mr. Davis Haymes. Mr. Haymes is thrilled to be a part of the Norfolk Christian family and he has big plans for our theatre department this year! Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Mr. Haymes! Mr. Haymes was born and raised here in Virginia. He says that from his early childhood, he was fascinated with characters and would often quote his favorite movies for his family. From the beginning, his parents knew he would be an actor. Through high school, he was an actor, and director, and even participated in competitive theatre. After graduating from high school, Mr. Haymes attended Regent University, graduating with the class of 2020, and earning his BFA in acting. However, Mr. Haymes isn’t entirely new to NCS. Last year, he went to see NCS’s production of Newsies and extended his compliments to the cast and crew. He then decided to apply for a teaching position at NCS. After careful prayer and consideration, Mr. Haymes took the job and is excited to teach theatre and direct shows. With big plans for the theatre department this year, Mr. Haymes has hit the ground running. He has cleaned off and repainted the stage in the Ambassador Gym, along with cleaning out the old drama storage rooms. These tasks gave him a clean slate to begin his NCS legacy. Photo from ...circle through New York; Theatre serves as an important outlet for high school students to express themselves creatively. Mr. Haymes emphasizes the importance of theatre and the arts in schools, saying, “Theatre is an overlook of everything in human society.” In his opinion, the fine arts are practical, teaching kids skills they use daily, whether they realize it or not. Furthermore, he sees the importance of theater from a Christian standpoint, explaining how “we are made in [God’s] image, so to fulfill the human purpose we have to create also.” It is easy to see Mr. Haymes' passion for theatre, and his love for teaching students every aspect of it.
Mr. Haymes is in the planning process for this year's show. He encourages all students, whether experienced in theater or simply interested in trying something new, to give performing a try! Mark your calendars, students, the first Norfolk Christian Drama Society meeting will be on October 17th! Here you will meet Mr. Haymes and other students with similar interests. You will also have the opportunity to hear the exciting announcement of what this year's show is! I encourage everyone if you see Mr. Haymes around to introduce yourself. I am sure you will find him as warm and funny as I do. Welcome to Norfolk Christian, Mr. Haymes, and we can't wait to see the amazing things you do this year! In an interview, Mr. Gyorfi discusses his role as teacher, swim coach, and Bible department head. Editor-in-Chief, Jordyn Balam Mr. Gyorfi teaches a myriad of subjects: history, psychology, and Bible. If you are a student in one of his classes, it’s obvious that he is passionate about each subject. Surprisingly, Mr. Gyorfi never had a revelation that he wanted to be a teacher. He was a youth pastor at the Norfolk Christian beach campus for three years before he accepted being a Bible teacher at NCS Upper School, and after teaching for one semester, he realized that he enjoyed it. It is now his sixteenth year teaching at NCS. Many of Mr. Gyorfi’s students are surprised that he can balance teaching such a variety of courses. However, he says that he “enjoys having lots of diversity in what [he’s] teaching.” It keeps his day interesting and also challenges him to “switch gears'' quickly. Photo by Lily Rhodes; Mr. Gyorfi has taught at NCS for sixteen years and is an integral part of the school community. According to alumni and current students, his attentive teaching style has shaped their educational careers. His love for teaching Bible stems from his college education, during which he attended a Chrisitan, liberal arts school called Wheaton College, located in Illinois. While reflecting upon his time there, Mr. Gyorfi says “it was the first time I had been challenged to think deeply about my faith.” Everyone at Wheaton cared about their relationship with Jesus, and sought to address current issues through a Christian perspective. At Wheaton, his teachers, coaches, and peers forced him to ask, “what does it mean to live out faith in our world?” Mr. Gyorfi asks his students this same question in Issues and Ethics and Ancient Faith for the Modern World, the two Bible classes he teaches. As head of the Bible department, Mr. Gyorfi coordinates within the department, observes teachers, and communicates with higher administration. For instance, he helped organize the Bible electives newly available this year. Mr. Gyorfi also enjoys working in the same building as his wife, Norfolk Christian’s guidance counselor. When Mrs. Gyorfi started working at NCS, he would be surprised when hearing her voice in the hallway. However, he says that it’s “very much a norm now.” In 2020, when NCS was in need of a new coach, both Gyorfis took on the role. In addition to being a prolific swimmer in college, Mr. Gyorfi was a swim coach for seven or eight years afterwards. He likes “walking through the process of watching the students do better,” especially getting over performance anxiety. Lessons learned through swimming are applicable for life, such as perseverance. Photo by Lily Rhodes; Mr. Gyorfi is always willing to give extra help to his students, including during lunch or after class. Aside from his roles as a department head, teacher, and coach, Mr. Gyorfi finds time for hobbies like gardening, hiking, and reading. When asked about his favorite book, he adamantly shook his head, saying, “my personality doesn’t like boundaries.” He reads a variety of genres, ranging from theology to science fiction.
Before handing out any test or quiz, Mr. Gyorfi ensures that his students know their identity comes from Christ, not a numerical grade. Then, he ends the short pep talk with: “I hope you get the grade you most deserve.” This statement is often met with nervous laughter, but it means that hard work is key in difficult subjects. Mr. Gyorfi is always willing to offer extra help, and above all, he builds up students’ confidence in God, and in their own work ethic. Jordyn Balam, Editor-in-Chief As students prepared for the 2022-2023 school year, many were surprised to learn that there was a new Upper School Director: Mr. Jacob McCleese, previous head of the English department. Throughout the years, his reputation as a harsh grader often preceded him, but once you got to know Mr. McCleese, he became your teacher and friend. Now, he directs most of the Norfolk Christian administration. What has his experience been like? Overall, Mr. McCleese describes his experience so far as positive. He’s had to navigate through a couple of challenges, the biggest one being the quest for balance. He wants to improve teacher instruction, but at the same time care for students and ensure that their voices are heard. One of his favorite tasks to do as Upper School Director is classroom observation. Mr. McCleese now works with all of the department heads, rather than the English teachers alone. According to him, it’s fascinating to witness the differences in instruction between middle and high school. He also enjoys observing long-time NCS faculty, such as Mr. Shoaf and Mr. Baumgardner. Photo by Lily Strickland; Mr. McCleese encourages all students to stop by his office or talk to him in the halls. Although his nickname is the "Bear," Mr. McCleese has an inviting presence once you get to know him. He expresses a preference for informal classroom visits over scheduled ones because “anybody can be their best for one day.” In other words, he hopes to catch the teachers at random. Then, he provides feedback. Positive feedback is more difficult to hand out than criticism, but oftentimes the teachers don’t receive enough accolades for the amazing job they do. In turn, Mr. McCleese receives feedback from the teachers and faculty. The Gyorfi’s and Mrs. Sandwell are positive yet honest, which he says are “two sides of the same coin.” Above all, Mr. McCleese focuses on the importance of leading with humility because everyone keeps reminding him that he is “the boss” now. He can make decisions for people, but he’d much rather make them with people. Although he spends most of the school day coordinating with teams such as student support or finances, he also walks around the building as much as possible. In doing so, he hopes that students are more inclined to interact with him. The current seniors visit him all the time, but there are many students he hasn’t had the opportunity to teach. Mr. McCleese wants everyone to know that his “office door is always open” if they need advice or simply want to get to know him. Mr. McCleese may no longer be teaching, but his skills as an English teacher are still relevant to his new position. English teachers spend all of their time “gathering, analyzing, and presenting information,” which is essentially what he does all day. In this way, any good teacher can do well in an administration position. He also manages different perspectives and emotions from other people, both positive and negative. There are some days where his English ability has no use, which is discouraging, but overall, he feels well prepared for the job. Photo by Lily Strickland; As a former English teacher at Norfolk Christian, Mr. McCleese foregrounds the importance of reading! Two weeks ago, Mr. McCleese journeyed from the office, all the way to Camp Silver Beach for the senior trip. When asked how the senior trip affected the senior class and school as a whole, he responded: “The student body always functions better when the senior class is connected.” This is true for every school he’s worked at. He hopes that this year’s seniors will keep Christ at the center of their lives, which isn’t easy, but definitely worth it. If the seniors implement Norfolk Christian's mission statement into their lives, then the entire school can be transformed. “Transformation” is the overarching theme for this year, after all. However, Mr. McCleese understands that change doesn’t occur overnight. In fact, he wrote an essay about living in a “microwave generation,” where people believe that change can happen without any effort. If we truly want to be ambassadors for Christ, we must be willing to put in the work.
Norfolk Christian is fortunate to have a head of school who is dedicated to the entire NCS community. If you see Mr. McCleese in the hallway, make sure to thank him for the work he’s done thus far. At Ambassador Archives, we’re excited to see what Mr. McCleese and the school as a whole will accomplish this year. |