T HE G REEN W AVE G AZETTE
P AGE 2
Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Gerhart
Second Year Teacher of Mathematics
Brianna Medeiros
Staff Writer
Ms. Gerhart
“Math is like a giant
puzzle. Getting
through it may be a
struggle, but when
you finally finish the
puzzle, it is so
rewarding.”
Ms. Gerhart
Abington High has many teachers with years of experience, but
there are a few who are just
getting started. Ms. Gerhart is a
second year math teacher. She is
also a volunteer assistant coach
for the fall and winter cheerleading teams. We thought you
might like to get to know her a
bit better, so we asked her a few
questions about herself.
What college did you attend and what did you major in?
I went to the University of New
Hampshire where I majored in
mathematics for secondary
school students. I enjoyed going
to school there, especially getting involved in activities
through my sorority (Alpha Xi
Delta.) We organized a lot of
fundraising activities for Autism
Speaks, a charitable organization
dedicated to funding research
into the causes, prevention,
treatments and cure for autism
Did you always want to be a
math teacher, and why is
math your favorite subject?
I’ve wanted to be a teacher since
I was a little kid, but in high
school I decided I wanted to
teach math. Math is like a giant
puzzle. Getting through it may
be a struggle, but when you
finally finish the puzzle, it is so
rewarding.
What’s your favorite part
about teaching?
I teach five classes, so I interact
with student at all levels. I like
being able to work with a variety
of students from different grade
levels.
Have you lived in Massachusetts all your life?
Yes, I grew up in Pembroke and
graduated from Pembroke High.
Is Abington you first teaching job?
I was a long term sub at Whitman-Hanson High School before
working here.
How did you end up coaching cheerleading?
The head coach (Alyssa McSharry) was my coach in high school,
and when she got the job she
asked if I would assist her.
What do you like to do in
your spare time?
(As a new teacher) I don’t have
much spare time. But when I do,
I like to go out to eat with
friends. I also enjoy country
music, and last summer I saw the
Zac Brown Band at Fenway Park
with my younger brother (who
she describes as looking a lot like
her – except for being a guy) and
we had great seats in the third
row.
What is your favorite:
Food – Buffalo Chicken
Movie – Elf
Band – Luke Bryan
Vacation Spot – the Bahamas
What’s a characteristic
about yourself that most
wouldn’t know unless they
talked to you?
I can be pretty sarcastic, but not
usually at school.
Don’t Judge Me By My Sister
Let Me Blaze My Own Trail
Katherine Marando
Contributor
Cassie Marando (left) laughing at her
younger sister Katie Marando (right)
(Family Photo with permission)
The first day of high school is a time
when first impressions are made. First
impressions are a big deal, and they all
start with the mundane task of saying
“here” when the teacher calls your
name. In my case, he or she will usually stop and say something like,
“Marando? Are you Cassie’s sister?”
Inside, I want to say, “No, I’m Katie.
Please don’t define me by my sister.”
But, I reply “yes,” and the teacher s