As the new year starts, students set in to the routine of adjusting to their new classes, teachers and peers. However, what often goes unnoticed by students is that their new teachers are often facing these very same issues. Teachers are tasked with learning hundreds of students’ names, adjusting their teaching plans to a new set of students and grading a massive surge of assignments. Even further, teachers new to the school system every year not only experience those very struggles, but are tasked with adapting to an entirely new work environment as well.

“Tompkins is different in many ways compared to other schools I have taught at over the last nine years as a high school teacher. Tompkins is much bigger in terms of both student population and number of faculty members. I also really enjoy the high level of diversity and the mentality of inclusivity that is prevalent in the school,” said incoming AP Chemistry teacher Dr. Pampa Dutta.

Teachers, such as Dr. Dutta, often express astonishment at the sheer number of students Tompkins has, especially in AP classes. These population issues can often prove troublesome for some teachers as it makes it harder to have one-on-one relationships with students where they feel more comfortable participating discourse and asking questions. However, it is of much acclaim for several of the teachers here that they are able to overcome these issues and ensure success in their students.

“The most shocking thing has been the level of respect that students have for each other and their instructors,” said incoming Technical Productions director Mark McManus.

Since freshman year, students here are placed in an environment that allows students to learn the qualities necessary to be successful in academic environments. For some teachers, these qualities can come as a pleasant surprise, especially when taking in to account how young some of the students are. These skills and qualities allow for classrooms to run much more efficiently as students have respect for their teachers and the curriculum which they are learning.

“It is really impressive to see how students and teachers worked together to build such a strong program. I’m very proud and excited to be part of it,” said Dr. Dutta.