By Alexis Coore 20'
Each year, Dunellen High School brings in a few new faces to join the staff. In the wake of Mrs. MaryAnne Greczek’s retirement, Mr. Robert Parsells has come to fill in the shoes left behind for the 2019-2020 school year. Mr. Parsells is now responsible for overseeing the media center and teaching a yearbook and new computer class.
While Mr. Parsells might be new to the teaching scene, he’s not exactly wet behind the ears. He has been a substitute in a few different schools, including Jackson Memorial High School, Jackson Liberty High School, and a few vocationals. Of all the classes he taught, his favorite ones were the cooking class at the vocational schools, as they would often allow him to sample their masterful creations.
Mr. Parsells gained a degree in Management Info-Systems, as he had wanted to work with computers, from what is now called Rowan University. After graduating, he went to work in corporate America arranging news videos. Sickened by the cut-throat community he found himself drowning in, Mr. Parsells knew he had to get away from it fast. After perusing the possible jobs he might want to apply for, Mr. Parsells resolved to become a teacher.
So then, why did he decide to come to lil’ ole DHS? According to Mr. Parsells, he wanted to join the Dunellen school community because he was “just so excited to get out of corporate America!” As it turns out, DHS had the community-feel he was looking for. Mr. Parsells took a look at some of the other schools he felt might be right for him, but at each one he noticed a certain… disharmony between the students and the teachers. In the halls, teachers rarely spared a glance towards their little disciples, and the comments some adults made behind their backs were simply appalling, which disheartened him immensely.
However, Mr. Parsells explains how he doesn’t find that here. Communication between students and teachers is spot on, and apparently the staff speaks well of their students even when no one is watching. He notes that “98% of the staff here makes it clear that they care about their students.” Even with as much as he loves this school, the man still has a life outside these walls!
Mr. Parsells has two sons, ages 14 and 19. His oldest will be attending the University of Oklahoma while his youngest will continue studies at Allentown High School. It was because of his sons that he decided to get into Cub and Boy Scouts as a Troop Leader. He states, “I enjoy things that I don’t do anymore.” Included in that list would be various sports, like soccer and basketball, as well as card games and golf.
Though he’s still getting a grasp of things here at DHS, Mr. Parsells is looking forward to the future. He is excited about the opportunity to build a rapport with his new students and wants them to know that he really does care. Hopefully, Mr. Parsells will be here for years to come. Who knows, he might even break Mrs. Greczek’s 30+ years streak.