There are numerous new staff members who have joined the Hastings High School community this year. We interviewed three of them: Mr. Ruffler, a science teacher, Ms. Canavan, a Spanish teacher, and Ms. Thomas, a Special Education teacher.
One of the new teachers at our school is Mr. Ruffler, who teaches chemistry and anatomy. Before coming to Hastings, he taught at Harrison High School as a leave replacement. He attended SUNY Purchase for college and is currently attending Pace University. He was also a scribe at Northern Westchester Hospital.
When asked for a reason why he decided to become a teacher, he shared that he “can’t start talking about it without mentioning [his] grandfather, who was also a science teacher.” Growing up, his grandfather acted as a role model by exposing him to science and engaging in conversations with him. “He made concepts interesting,” Mr. Ruffler explained.
As for why he wanted to teach at a school, Mr. Ruffler mentioned how through tutoring in his college years he recognized that he enjoyed working with students. He stated,“Following that whole process through to the end and seeing the end result” was extremely satisfying.
Aside from teaching, Mr. Ruffler is a Yankees and Jets fan, an avid traveler, and a coffee enthusiast. He also enjoys taking pictures with his drone. He has been to 21 different countries so far, revealing that Colombia and Vietnam are his current favorites: “[they] felt like the most foreign to me, and I liked the culture shock.” In his free time, he watches Breaking Bad, and he listens to artists such as Daft Punk, Sia, and Chappell Roan. So far, Mr. Ruffler has found Hastings a great place to work. He states how it’s smaller and more “tight knit” than his last school, and he feels more connected to students and colleagues.
Another new teacher in the high school is Ms. Canavan, a Spanish teacher. Ms. Canavan was born and raised in Mexico, and after coming to the United States to study, she “fell in love [and is] never going back.” Before this year, which marks her fourteenth year teaching, she taught in Rye Neck and Manhattan.
When asked why she wanted to become a teacher, Ms. Canavan shared that she wanted to use her skill in speaking fluent Spanish to help others learn as well. She describes how she did not have good resources and struggled learning English when she was younger growing up in Mexico. She loves being around kids—she has two of her own—and has a passion for their education.
As for hobbies, Ms. Canavan enjoys playing tennis and swimming in her free time: “I love to feel the fresh water and hit the ball when I’m on the court.” Ms. Canavan also loves music, revealing that classical is her favorite, including Mozart, Schubert, and especially Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. She loves opera as well, and Lincoln Center is her favorite spot. A few of her favorite opera singers include Luciano Pavorotti, Maria Callas, and Plásido Domingo.
So far, Ms. Canavan likes teaching at Hastings, one reason being that “Hastings is a very open community”, highlighting its diversity.” Ultimately, Ms. Canavan is “looking forward to staying here forever, until [she] retire[s].”
Ms.Thomas, another new teacher, is an addition to the special education department. She grew up in Mt. Vernon and Nanuet, and both of her parents are immigrants from India. After graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh, her career began by becoming a teaching assistant at a special education preschool. Although pursuing special education was a major goal of hers, she felt as though working with older students was the direction she wanted to take. As a result, Ms. Thomas returned to school to receive her master’s degree at St.Thomas Aquinas College, eventually working at Clarkstown South and now here at Hastings High School.
Apart from the special education field, Ms. Thomas is also qualified in English, elaborating on her love for the subject: “When I was a kid…I loved to read and spent a lot of time going to the library.” One of her favorite series was Twilight, for she was drawn to young adult and fantasy genres.
Apart from teaching, Ms.Thomas enjoys various kinds of music including Nicki Minaj, Harry Styles, and One Direction. She explains that she has a liking for “rap, hip-pop, pop, k-pop, a little bit of everything.” She loved watching the Harry Potter movies growing up and recently has especially enjoyed watching K-dramas.
When asked about her intentions for the upcoming school year, Ms.Thomas has already expressed a great gratitude towards the students and staff who have helped her build a safe and supportive environment. She says that “when you step into a new place it can be awkward…but it’s always nice to know you have people to answer questions and are ready to support.” Furthermore, Ms. Thomas highlights the incredible students who pop into the office to chat, as well as the vast majority of clubs offered here. Ms.Thomas has grown extremely fond of the environment and community at Hastings High School and feels that people “are always ready to support [her] and have [her] back”. She is excited to embark on the rest of the school year.
