By Gabe Cushner ‘24 (Journalism)
The excited new faces of faculty and staff members arrive on the school campus and look forward to the 2022-2023 school year. Photo: Don Bosco Prep Official Instagram
RAMSEY, N.J. – There are new faces on campus as the Don Bosco Prep community welcomes 14 new faculty members for the 2022-2023 school year. The addition of new teachers and staff members with lots of life experience will fill students with great knowledge.
Primarily, Dr. Matthew Watson and Deacon Douglas FitzMorris bring a wide range of experience to enhance their teaching skills.
Dr. Watson joins the math department for the 2022-2023 school year and will be teaching both sophomore and junior classes. He teaches Geometry and Algebra 2. Dr. Watson is formerly an optometrist, and enjoys teaching whomever his audience may be.
Dr. Matthew Watson is seen in his Algebra 2 classroom. Photo: Gabe Cushner
“Even as an eye doctor I enjoyed teaching my patients about their vision and health.” Watson added, “Many of them would tell me that I ought to consider teaching as a second profession and by a turn of luck, here I am.”
Dr. Watson said, “It may sound corny, but I’m most excited to contribute to the education of the students that have been entrusted to me.” The Don Bosco Prep community is happy to have him.
Dr. Watson seemed to have already peaked the interest of his students just a few weeks into the school year. Ryan Calvario, a junior in Dr. Watson’s Algebra 2 class said, “Dr. Watson takes into account his student’s ideas while maintaining control of the class.” Calvario explained that Dr. Watson is always open to making accommodations for his students. “After reviewing our most recent quiz, he removed the last page of our quiz, causing everyone’s grade to improve.”
Deacon Douglas FitzMorris, who comes to Don Bosco Prep as a theology teacher, also brings a different perspective to his teaching. He was formerly a trial lawyer, which can be seen in the way he runs his junior and senior classes.
Deacon Douglas FitzMorris (pictured above) is a new theology teacher at Don Bosco Prep. Photo: Douglas FitzMorris
FitzMorris enjoys seeing his students debate and reflect on topics taught in class, making it a comfortable environment for students to get up in front of the class and talk.
Deacon FitzMorris’ efforts can already be seen through his student’s excitement for the course.
“Deacon FitzMorris greatly knows how to appeal to his class. On Fridays we have a movie day where we are also able to get work done,” said Eric Petrie, a junior in FitzMorris’ theology class.
FitzMorris also looks forward to the success of the baseball and football programs at school. “I have been a baseball and softball coach most of my adult life.” FitzMorris noted. He has been a fan his whole life and has even played recently in a men’s softball league.
FitzMorris teaches his classes with extreme passion for Catholic faith and will be a mentor for all students whom he teaches.
All in all, it is an exciting time to be an Ironman.