Richard Rodriguez, a physical education teacher, has joined the Townsend Harris High School community this fall, stepping in for physical education instructor Lauren Caiaccia who is on sabbatical leave.
Mr. Rodriguez is one of five new staff members joining the THHS community. “This is my first year teaching […] for the Department of Education,” said Mr. Rodriguez. “I’m looking forward to a great year at Townsend Harris.”
When asked about what drove him to become a physical education instructor, Mr. Rodriguez expressed his interest in fitness and physical well-being. “My passion for sports, health, and fitness drove me to become a physical education teacher. I love to inspire others to stay fit, make healthy lifestyle choices, and have fun,” he said.
Mr. Rodriguez explained his desire to develop a collaborative and enjoyable experience for students. He highlighted the importance of getting to know his students. “To keep students engaged in class, I strive to make learning fun. I take the time to get to know my students and understand their interests, which I then incorporate into my lessons,” he said.
Some of his students reflected on his methods of teaching. Sophomore Kadiatou Dia, said, “Rather than commencing with intense exercises and expecting us to keep pace, [Mr. Rodriguez] incorporates activities that can be described as ‘fun and engaging.’”
Freshman Tajrian Noor described her positive experiences in his class. ”He’s been making us play sports and games that require a lot of communication and teamwork. Because of this, I’ve been able to make some great friends, which makes gym class more enjoyable,” she said.
“I feel like his teaching style relies on student engagement, one that is difficult to get. […] But overall he is extremely approachable,” said Sophomore Megan Madelar.
Physical education teacher Gabriela Pedreros discussed the many responsibilities P.E. teachers must take on. “We have a schedule full of classes like any other teacher. There’s a lot of lesson preparation on our end: structuring engaging units, preparing the classroom, and establishing routines,” said Ms. Pedreros.
She welcomed Mr. Rodriguez into the school. “We are very excited to have a new P.E. teacher for this year […] [and] are happy to see what he brings to the school,” she said.
New members of the THHS community are prompted to take the Ephebic Oath of “leaving the school better than you found it.” Mr. Rodriguez intends to fulfill this oath by teaching students the value of collaboration, he said. “I hope to leave Townsend Harris better than I found it by making a positive impact on the lives of students. Most importantly, I hope to teach them the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship,” he said.
“I want to inspire [my students] to have confidence in themselves and to always give their best effort, both in physical activities and in everything they do,” said Mr. Rodriguez.
