Caffeine & Character

Have you ever wondered what fuels the teachers at Wheaton? We interviewed 14 teachers to find out what's in their morning cups. From simple black coffee to custom orders, we checked out their vibe based on their drink of choice. Here's the breakdown! 

1. The Plains: Straight Black Coffee

Whether they are brewing it at home or grabbing a quick cup from Dunkin, a large portion of our staff runs on straight black coffee. 

"Hot black coffee, I make it at home" - Ms. Koumentakos 

"Dunkin' large iced black coffee every day" - Mr. McTighe 

What does it mean? Mr. McTighe, Ms. Koumetakos, and every other black coffee drinker is straightforward--no nonsense. Don't mess with anyone who drinks their coffee with nothing added, especially teachers! 

2. Espresso Enthusiasts 

Waking up at 6am or earlier? These folks probably are... or maybe they stay up too late? Either way, they are fuel up with extra caffeine. Their orders include: 

"Dunkin iced coffee with an extra shot, almond milk, and some flavored syrup" - Ms. Barkin 

"Latte with a double shot espresso" - Mr. Feasley 

"Diet Coke" - Ms. Schreck

"Dirty chai latte (a latte supercharged with a shot of espresso)" - Mr. Wishart

What does it mean? High energy, ready-to-teach mode, and fun to converse with. Ms. Barkin, Mr. Feasley, Ms. Schreck, and Mr. Wishart are these kinds of people, keeping our "ready-to-learn" kinda mood. 

3. The Perfectionists: The Specific Orders 

You have to respect someone who knows exactly what they want. 

" Tall mocha with one pump, almond milk, no whip, no foam" - Ms. Carr

"Starbucks medium roast with a splash of sweet creamer and exactly 3 packets of Splenda" - Ms. Kohorst

What does it mean? Detail-oriented, organized, and highly structured. These are the teachers who are very chill and don't necessarily care about perfection on the outside. However, on the inside they are calculating and thinking of the specific things that need to get done. 

4. The Artisans: Craft Coffee & Specialty Tea 

Moving away from the drive-thru, these teachers appreciate the craft. 

"Matcha with oat milk" - Ms. Hirsch 

"Taiwan honey black with melon" - Ms. Myers

"Hairbender in a French press with a splash of almond milk" - Ms. Ruvolo

What does it mean? Sophisticated, patient, and creative. Ms. Hirsch, Ms. Myers, and Ms. Ruvolo have a very aesthetic, calming classroom and bring a worldly, student perspective to their subjects. They actually want you to take your time and do your assignments well. 

5. The "Zen" Master: The Tea Drinkers 

Not everyone has a caffeine crash by third period. Some of the teachers keep it grounded: 

"Chai latte with a little vanilla, not a coffee person" - Mr. Dinn

"Zero sugar citrus green tea from Lipton" - Mr. Shaffner

What does it mean? Collected and unbothered by classroom chaos, except for Mr. Shaffner (JK). These two teachers have an orderly structure, and want the students to feel the same way too. However, Mr. Shaffner is always up and running to keep students on their toes. 

Copy edited by Hiber Anelay