Photos by Veritas Staff: Seniors Xander Wehnau and Chelsea Amaral play a friendly match of racquetball vs. Mr. McGaffigan in gym class.
By Chloe Nash, Managing Editor
September 19, 2023
ROCKLAND- There’s a new face in the gym this year as 2018 RHS graduate Matthew McGaffigan, is working as a long-term substitute for Ms. Diana Newcomb.
Mr. McGaffigan graduated from UMASS Amherst in 2022 and then taught in Panama with a non-profit organization called Lacrosse the Nations, which helps to improve the lives of children’s education and health using lacrosse.
After spending six months in Panama, Mr. McGaffigan taught fifth and sixth grade ELA in Cambridge in his first year of teaching.
He plans to become a fully licensed teacher and wants to teach high school Science. He has his bachelor’s degree in biology, and hopes to become licensed to teach it.
After finding out he wouldn’t be returning to the school in Cambridge, Mr. McGaffigan said, “I got a call to be the sub here for a couple of months and it made sense to come back home.”
Without having to readjust to a new school, he has felt very comfortable coming back as he knows all the staff.
Mr. McGaffigan played soccer and lacrosse at Rockland High. He was also part of the Environmental Club, and every summer he was a counselor at the camp at Hartstuff Park.
While working with Mr. Mike Doyle and still being young enough to have fun playing games all day, he enjoys doing that and being able to use the weight room whenever he would like. He is also working as the workout supervisor after school so students can use the gym and equipment.
He added, “I’m excited to be here again and it’s good to see all of the old teachers’ faces and the kids here still seem like they are just as good as they were when I left.”
Ms. Newcomb is planning to be back at RHS this winter, after welcoming her daughter Stevie over the summer.