March Teacher Feature: Mrs. Nemec

March 2019

January Teacher Feature: Mr. Fejes

January 2019

This month, our Teacher Feature showcases… Mr. Fejes! He was originally a 6 Respect Science teacher, then a 6 Respect Language Arts teacher, and now he is a 8 Integrity Language Arts teacher. Here is a little about Mr. Fejes.

Where is the coolest place you ever traveled? Why was it a favorite?

Definitely Prague, Czech Republic. It had beautiful architecture and I met extremely nice people there. It was like no other place I have been to before and it was very unique.

What is your favorite song/genre of music?

I love 90's alternative rock. I like very heavy guitars and really loud and noisy music. My favorite song is Cherub Rock by Smashing Pumpkins. (Cherub is another word for angel).

What do you do in your spare time?

I play video games (no Fortnite yet), soccer (I coach the HMS Boys Soccer team), and I play the electric bass.

Why did you get into teaching?

The Manchester Soccer Team never called back, and I needed to do something with my life.

What is your favorite book/style of writing?

My favorite style of writing is Science Fiction! I love the book Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

Here is an amazing quote from one of Mr. Fejes' former students, Natalie Brindley:

“He is the best teacher I have ever had in my life. Mr. Fejes has humor everyday in class because Language Arts can sometimes get REALLY boring. Mr. Fejes will always find a way to put a smile on all of our faces and will make us laugh. Like some days we will have quizzes or grammar days, ugh, but he will make all of us laugh or smile. There is never a day when I don't laugh in his class. He will take the serious days and put his own jazz into it and make it super fun. The highlighting that we do, everything is online, and much much more! Mr. Fejes always is fun but serious. He will have fun, but when it comes down to business and we need to get things done, he will lay down the law for us to get done. I love the days when we get the chance to get Jolly Ranchers. One time, we had to fix punctuation and grammar, and we had to answer some questions. Every answer was worth 1 Jolly Rancher. Sometimes you get the chance to win 7 Jolly Ranchers. The best thing I like in the class is SAT words. They are fun, and I get to show off all of the words I know to my family. The cool pictures we get to draw are even better. The best part of SAT words are the review days. We have the chance of earning 5 Jolly Ranchers with your table for the SAT Nerf Gun Review Game. Mr. Fejes is serious but fun! Mr. Fejes is my favorite teacher and he always will be. He put the AWE in AWESOME!”

Mrs. Platek

Music Teacher

• Where is the coolest place you ever traveled? Why was it a favorite?

One of the coolest places I have visited is China! I visited Hong Kong, and some traditional tribal villages on the mainland.. My favorite experience was visiting “Wild Elephant Valley” which is a nature reserve famous for its tropical rainforest and wild roaming Asian elephants. I even had the opportunity to take a ride on one of the elephants!

• What is your favorite food?

It’s a tie between pepperoni pizza and pasta of any kind. Yum!

And watermelon!!!

• Have you ever lived somewhere other than Ohio (if so where)?

I am proud to be a lifelong resident of the great state of Ohio. I did spend four years in Indiana while I was in college. I also spent three summers living in Chicago, while I completed my Graduate degree. Chicago is quite an amazing place to live in the summer!

• What is your favorite song/genre of music?

That’s a difficult question for a music teacher! I love just about any kind of show tunes. My all time favorite is “Wicked,” but I am very excited to finally get to see “Hamilton” this summer.

• What is your favorite book/style of writing?

I love reading fiction in general because it allows me to escape to another world. I find reading to be very relaxing. When you have a book nearby you are never lonely or bored! I am definitely a Harry Potter fan. I also enjoy reading historical fiction books.

• Did you play any sports when you were younger? If so, what?

Yes! I began playing soccer when I was four years old and continued all the way through high school. I also ran track in middle school and high school. My favorite event was the 800 meters.

• What do you do in your spare time?

I love to attend sporting events or watch them at home. I have been busy trying to watch as much of the Olympics as possible the past few weeks! The Indians are my all time favorite team. I am so glad it is time for Spring Training again. Go Tribe! I am also a fan of the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

I love spending time with family and friends and am a proud Aunt of five ridiculously awesome nieces and nephews.

I enjoy running, reading, sewing, and going to see Broadway shows.

• Why did you get into teaching?

Passion. Passion for music and passion for working with kids. When I was a little girl, I sang ALL of THE TIME! I inspired the “no singing at the table” rule in our household… I found that choir was “my place.” It brought true joy to my heart. When I realized that I could help instill that joy and passion in the hearts of others - I knew that was what I wanted to do!

• If you were not a teacher, what other career would you have chosen?

Strangely enough - I also thought about becoming a dietician/nutritionist.. Also, I have always been fascinated by city planning. Both are completely different from being a music teacher!