By: Shamiha Sharif
Get to know Mr. Hawrusik, a familiar face at Carey High School for almost fifteen years. As an English teacher, and Carey's November Teacher of the Month, he's all about making his students active participants in their learning experience. But Mr. Hawrusik is more than just a teacher; he's an individual with a knack for building connections. He spills the details his classroom philosophy, how his interests and interactions have shaped his career, and how he deals with the very challenges that come with being an english teacher. Read more for a conversation that goes beyond textbooks and into the quirks and passions that make Mr. Hawrusik the teacher he is today.
Introduce yourself! How would you like others to know you?
Hello! I’m Mr. Hawrusik! I’ve been teaching at Carey High School for close to fifteen years.
Share your experience. How did you get here as a teacher? When did you realize you wanted to pursue education?
Originally, I went to Hofstra University for television and film production. I spent four months holding boom microphones and running cables, and I realized I had no passion for what I was doing. I spent the next summer contemplating my future and trying to figure out what was important to me. I was working at a summer camp with eight year-olds, and it was literally the time of my life. We just talked about Pokemon and pretended to be pirates for two months. I realized that I just wanted to work with kids and tell stories. Being an English teacher gives me the opportunity to do that every day.
How would you describe your teaching philosophy?
I want to make my students responsible for their own learning experience. That’s why I implement so much pair and group work. That’s why all of the notes are generated by kids in their own words. I teach five classes, and every day I have five completely different sets of notes. All of the ideas come from the kids in each class and are written in their unique voices.
I also want each of my students to feel heard and appreciated.
What are some challenges you think come with being an English teacher?
Oh, jeez. It’s so difficult encouraging kids to read in a digital world. Reading books isn’t immediately gratifying like playing the new Fortnite season. That’s why I use stupid voices when I read and I try to act out certain parts of books. I’m trying to convey how much joy storytelling brings to my life.
How do you build positive relationships with your students?
I try to make a connection with every student by learning at least one thing about each person that is important to them. I don’t know anything about Roblox. I’ll probably never play Roblox. But if I have a student who loves Roblox, I’m going to read about it all night so we can have a conversation about it.
Who is someone you consider to be your biggest inspiration?
I am continually inspired by my colleagues in the English Department. The English teachers here are incredible people who have overcome so much in the time that I’ve been here. Mr. Levine taught me how to do this job when I was twenty years-old. Mrs. Milio is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Mr. Needham is the most insightful person I know and challenges me to think differently all the time. Mrs. Mac has taught me so much about engaging with classes. That’s just to name of few. Even the new teachers in our department, like Ms. Wiz, are so good at this job. I literally could write superlatives for all twenty people in our department. But I don’t want to bore you.
Do you have any hobbies or personal interests you enjoy outside the classroom? Do you find ways to integrate them into your teaching?
Oh, snap. I used to play electric bass professionally, but I don’t have time to play as much anymore. Back in the day, I would play a lot of Mo Town and Funk. And I was obsessed with the Four Tops. Very recently, I started learning how to draw. I have been bothering Mrs. Burgelassi (definitely spelled wrong) and Mrs. Samet to teach me things. Mrs. Samet gave me my first set of drawing pencils. I am learning how to draw portraits of different animals.
I try to incorporate this into my classroom by forcing my students to draw on every quiz and test. I pick something random, like “penguins vs. snowmen”. Then I get to look at all their weird drawings while I grade.
A message for your students:
Fill your life with things that make you happy. I’ll probably carry my Pokemon lunchbox when I’m in my forties. I know it’s weird, but I love it and I’ll lug it around shamelessly.
(A definitely candid photo of Mr. Hawrusik teaching)
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