Homestead welcomed 15 new staff members for the 2024-2025 school year. Among them are Assistant Principals Adam Bold (10th and 12th grade) and Lindsay Charles (9th and 11th grade), who have introduced new ways to foster student comfort and engagement
“We are both very student-centered,” Bold states. “Being aware of when passing time is and not being stuck behind a computer screen, I try to be in the hallway and be in the spaces where the kids are.”
To further encourage interaction, Homestead introduced mobile desks, allowing the administration to work in the hallways where students can see them. This initiative promotes visibility and accessibility, making it easier for students to engage with staff during passing periods.
“The best part of my day is when I get to interact with kids,” Charles stated. She adds that she, Bold, and Principal Eric Ebert strive to balance administrative duties with student engagement.
“We all feel the same way–interacting with students is the best part of our day,” Charles said.
One noticeable change students may have observed is the administrators’ increased presence at school entrances. Administrators now “greet students in the morning and wish them a good evening” as they leave. This small but meaningful shift fosters a sense of community and belonging.
Engaging Classrooms: A New Approach to Teaching
In addition to new administrative efforts, seven new teachers have joined Homestead this year, bringing fresh energy to the classroom.
Orlando Frets, Spanish teacher, introduced a warm-up exercise in his first few days to help students get comfortable with speaking Spanish. He recalls a humorous moment when a student went off-script, responding with:
“Estoy cansado porque mi perro me robo el desayuno,” which translates to “I’m tired because my dog stole my breakfast.”
“The entire class bursts into laughter,” Frets says. “Since that day, I’ve learned to embrace the unexpected moments in teaching.” He believes that sticking rigidly to a lesson plan is not always the best approach, and “connecting with students on a deeper level” is key.
Anthony Balistreri, computer science teacher, agrees. He emphasizes the importance of creating a collaborative and engaging classroom environment.
“It’s not about just talking at them,” he explains. “It’s about letting them be part of the conversation, engaging with their peers, and learning through experience.”
Balistreri believes in limiting lectures to a small portion of class time, allowing students to work independently and collaboratively. This approach contrasts with past teaching styles where 70-minute lectures left students with only five minutes to complete their work, which often became homework.
Both Frets and Balistreri emphasize how ice-breakers and interactive activities help ease classroom tension in the first few days, setting the stage for a positive learning environment.
Hallways & Student Support: A Stronger Presence
Homestead has seen a notable decrease in hallway activity and class skipping over the past few years, with significant improvements last year.
One key contributor to this program is the First female hall monitor, Alyssa Smith, “a graduate student at UWM pursuing her Ed.S. (Education Specialist) degree in psychology.”
“This role gives me hands-on experience at the high school level after working with elementary and middle school students,” Smith shares.
She plays a major role in school operations, “responding to radio calls from the office and assistant principals,” escorting students as needed, “monitoring hallways and bathrooms, and enforcing the hall pass procedure.”
Encouraging “students to use SmartPass” and stay within the allotted time, she explains. However, tries to be “flexible when appropriate, understanding that high school students are still developing their independence. Building relationships requires some grace, but I make it clear that rules and expectations must be followed.”
Smith recognizes that students often try to find loopholes in new rules and regulations. While she empathizes with their frustration, she also reinforces that these policies are in place for a reason.
The Heart of the Office: Supporting Students Behind the Scenes
The student office is another essential hub of daily operations, and new student office secretary Catey Moroder brings a welcoming spirit to the space.
On a daily basis, she:
Manages student transportation, including busses for regular routes and school trips
Handles classroom “supply orders for teachers”
“Oversees detentions and sends out daily announcements”
Assists students who visit the office for a variety of needs, from “questions and medication requests” to simply needing a moment to rest and recharge
Moroder’s role ensures that students and staff have the resources they need, contributing to a smooth and supportive environment.
Looking Ahead: Homestead’s Commitment to Growth
This year, Homestead has embraced several positive changes, from stronger student-staff connections to more engaging classrooms. With these efforts, the school continues striving for a more interactive and student-focused experience.
While this feature highlights several new staff members, we also want to recognize others who have joined us this year:
New Teachers
Josh Ugalde (Language Department)
Erin Maliszewski (Language Department)
Nichole Tridimas (Language Department)
Dr. Joe Martinez (Computer Science)
Abby Gerczak (History)
New Support Staff
Katie Burton (Front Office)
Joyce Kaiser (ICC Aide)
Tyler Prouty (Special Needs Aide)
