Ms. Olivia MacDonald

Q: What motivates you?
A: My main drive is compassion. I really, really care about other people, and that’s something I let drive my whole philosophy as a teacher. I always want to see my students as people before I see them as students or athletes or club members. They’re always going to be people. They have their own struggles. They have a lot going on, and I want them to know I see them for that beyond just what grade they get.
Q: What do you teach at ROHS?
A: I teach biology and earth and space science, my two specialties, so luckily, I get to teach both of them. That’s what I went to college for, so I’m really excited for that.
Q:What do you love about teaching?
A: I love the people, I like being part of a school, I like the little things that make a school a school, you know – assemblies, school lunch. I love those kinds of details. Obviously, I love to talk science and teach science and help people understand it and help them build that belief in themselves that they can do it.
Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A: I’ve actually thought about this a lot. My first option: I would be a streamer. I would love to just game and talk with people. I also think that I’d be a really good DJ. Third: I love to cook, I love to bake, I love doing all of that, so something in a restaurant or cafe. That’s also kinda my jam

Mr. Noah Szymanski

Q: What are you looking forward to this year?
A: Getting to know my students- all students, but especially the ones I counsel- and then just getting to know the Royal Oak community better and being more involved with the school and the school community, and have that build year upon year. Just being more a part of the community and knowing the kids better.
Q: What motivates you?
A: I like to feel I have a positive impact, either small or really big, like helping guide my students through a process- or anyone – through a process with super confusing stuff. College apps can be kind of confusing or “What do I want to do with my life?” -that kind of thing. Or just being there, and being the person a student can count on or just talk to.
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: I would say talking to and making connections with the students, and being there for them or giving them advice, and really just hanging out with the kids is like the best part.
Q: Where would your dream vacation be and why?
A: Australia. I really like their accents, so that would be kind of fun to hear all the time, and then I think it’s really cool that a country has deserts, beaches, waterfalls, rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef. There’s just so much to see and stuff like that, so just exploring hiking-wise or any of those kid of things I think would be really cool. And from what I can tell, they seem very chill- a very fun group of people – so that’d be a cool culture to hang around with for a little bit, and also try their food and see kangaroos in the wild and koalas. So yeah, Australia.

Mrs. Crissy Karaszewski

Q:What are you looking forward to this year?
K: Getting to know the students and the staff. Starting in a new building, there’s always a lot to learn, but I think the most important part to learn is the staff, the students, how the building works, and all of that stuff. I’m really excited to kind of just dive right into learning about the building.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Helping students. I was a traditional counselor for ten years. I’ve worked in two other districts, and also at Oakland Community College. Most recently, I was at the college, so I’m really excited to be back in K-12, working with high school students and preparing them for post secondary options.
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: Meeting the students. I’m still kind of learning what my role is going to be with students here, because I feel like a lot of it is logistical, [and] a lot of teacher focus. I’m excited to get into the classroom to do EDPs and the career stuff. So [what I love is] getting to know the students and figuring out how I can help them.
Q:What is your favorite dessert and why?
A: Cheesecake with some strawberry drizzle -very specific with the fresh strawberry drizzle. You can’t go wrong with it.

Ms. Michelle Wagner

Q: What are you looking forward to this year?
A: I’m most looking forward to just getting to know all my students and seeing them grow and just having a good time teaching and learning science.
Q: What motivates you?
A: I’m really not motivated. Motivation is short-term, I’m disciplined. I’d like to say I’m disciplined to do things.
Q: What do you teach at ROHS?
A: I’m a science teacher, I’m certified in all sciences and I’m currently teaching two sections of AP Bio, two sections of Anatomy and Physiology, and one section of Physics 1A.
Q: What do you love about teaching?
A: What’s not to love? I’m an energetic person and I just like interacting with young people, and I like helping young people reach their fullest potential.
Q: If you could be an animal, what would it be and why?
A: I like the woods so I’d want to be… probably a deer— because I’d want to spend my time in the woods.