Erica Hocking is one of the two executive functioning interventionists at NHHS, who support students with their coursework. She assists students with improving executive functioning skills. Hocking believes that the development of the brain’s ability to initiate tasks, self monitor, organize, prioritize, and think metacognitively, are crucial for student success. “Helping students understand how their brain works... as a strength instead of a weakness is very important to me.”

Ms. Hocking has worked in special education for the past 14 years, and joining intervention felt like a natural progression. She now supports general education students who are facing learning and/or emotional adversity. To earn where she is today, Ms. Hocking received her undergraduate degree in English at the University of New Hampshire. She then came home to Connecticut and attended graduate school at Southern Connecticut State University in the Special Education Program.

While her commitment to her job is time consuming, Hocking enjoys her free time with her family and German Shepherd, Zeus, and also values exercising, being outdoors, watching her kids play lacrosse, and reading. While her time at North Haven High has been limited, Hocking considers the highlight of her first year to be seeing the students’ and faculty members without their masks on. She also loves the Friday morning music and feeling as if she is supporting a deserving population at North Haven High!

John Cornelius has been teaching for 10 years, all of which have been in the New Haven Public School District. He holds the current position of a math teacher, teaching statistics L2, Geometry L2, and AP statistics.

When asked why he chose this profession, he put it simply, “It is what I was meant to do.” There are many NHHS students who are happy he made that choice.

Cornelius views his role as an educator to open as many doors for his students as possible, in order to ensure they have as many opportunities conducive to their success.

Mr. Cornelius also values allowing students to choose their own future education, rather than having decisions made for them.

Outside of school, Mr. Cornelius is interested in painting miniatures and considers reading to be his main hobby. He has also grown a liking towards the North Haven community, making mention of how welcoming and supportive everyone has been. Mr. Cornelius truly appreciates all the help he has been given!

Katelyn Gomes is the TLS teacher, so her job entails working with students towards their individualized education program goals, while also supporting them on a daily basis. Her education philosophy derives from a popular belief that has been “mythbusted.” Gomes explains that physically, the bumble bee should not be able to fly. However, because the bee is unaware of this alleged inability, it flies anyway. In reality, the physics of the bumblebee forces the insect to adjust and find a way to fly that is effective for them. Gomes implements this idea in her teaching, stressing the fact that, “There’s always a way to be successful, and your way might look different from someone else’s.”

Her love for education began at a young age. When she was just twelve, Gomes would line up her stuffed animals and teach them what she learned from anatomy coloring books. Later in her education, Gomes earned her bachelors and masters in special education with a specialization in behavior and clinical training in dialectical behavioral therapy. Her interests, however, are not limited to the education field.

In her spare time, Gomes is a professional classical violinist and also enjoys working on her Mustang. Overall, she has enjoyed her time at North Haven High School, which was made possible by the positive and welcoming environment created by both the students and staff!

Susan Oakley is the band director. Her classes include Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz I and II, and Guitar Lab. She enjoys directing the band at home football games, getting to be a part of the pit for the musical, and marching in the Memorial Day Parade.

Oakley grew up in Southbury, CT and graduated from Pomperaug High School, then went on to study at UConn. She earned two degrees in Music Theory and Education. She attended Teachers' College, Columbia University for her Master's degree in Education.

Oakley believes that "teaching begins with relationships." She gets to know who her students are in order to personalize instruction for every individual... to foster lifelong learning and a love of the arts.

A highlight for Oakley was contributing to Mamma Mia, and the efforts and commitments of the students wowed her!

Oakley comes from a family of teachers and knew from a young age she wanted to teach. She followed her passion, which led her to merge music and education.

Outside of school she looks to stay busy by reading and visiting the library. Oakley is "also down for a good Netflix binge every once in a while." She enjoys being outside and hiking, and in the summer she likes to go on adventures with her family.

Jennifer Nolan, currently teaching Geometry and Algebra 2, got her bachelor’s degrees in math education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She then received her masters and sixth year in math education at Southern Connecticut State University.

While her background in math is extensive, Nolan loves to spend her free time with her 2 daughters doing arts and crafts. She values staying active, whether it's through hiking, biking, walking, or going to the gym. Nolan has been lucky enough to recognize her love of teaching from a young age.

As a kid, Nolan loved learning and wants to encourage others to love learning too. She said that math is something that she always understood well, so her goal is to give other people that same confidence in education. She claims that both the student and the teacher have a responsibility when it comes to learning. Students need to be active participants by engaging in their own learning, while teachers need to make education interesting and enjoyable. To fulfill her philosophy, Nolan focuses on challenging her students, while creating a safe and supportive environment. Even though her time at North Haven High began mid-February, she considered the highlight of her career to be seeing the school’s production of Mamma Mia!

Laura Sangster is one of the school guidance counselors at NHHS, her focus including college and career planning, as well as providing academic, social, emotional, and personal support for her students. While her chosen profession is a perfect fit for her, it took a lot of self-reflection to discover what she wanted to do. Her interests made this decision challenging, but by getting involved and identifying her options, she figured what she wanted to do. Working with students was what brought her joy and she loves the daily variety of her job.

Post-grad, Sangster attended a semester at Southern Connecticut State University for a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She then transferred programs to school counseling at the University of Connecticut and earned her Masters in Educational Psychology with a concentration in school counseling. Everyday Sangster implements the idea that everyone has their own path and ways they learn best. Simply put, “The key to success is finding what works for you and continuously growing.”

Sangster feels lucky to work with such a caring group of students and feels very welcomed by the North Haven community! As for outside interests, Sangster loves crafts and even takes a pottery class on Saturdays. She also enjoys hikes with her dog, Butterscotch, spending time with her eight chickens, and kayaking in the summer.