Maroon interviewed new members of the faculty for the 2024-2025 school year. (For an article about new Assistant Principal Laura Weiss, see this separate article.) They were each asked the following questions: (Below are their respective responses.)

1. Why did you decide to become a teacher? Why did you decide to teach the subject you are teaching?
2. What are you most looking forward to at Scarsdale?
3. What are some of your hobbies outside the classroom?
4. If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Emilia Hogg (Physics)

1. Growing up with a math teacher as a mom, I always enjoyed not only the pursuit of knowledge but also sharing that knowledge with others. However, it wasn’t until high school that I decided education would be one of my top career choices. I took physics for the first time in my sophomore year with Mr. Lynch and had an amazing experience. Mr. Lynch not only helped me make sense of the universe we live in but also encouraged me to be curious, think outside the box, and believe in my ability to achieve whatever I set my mind to. The following year, I took AP Physics with a different teacher, and to say the least, it was not a pleasant experience. I realized that if it hadn’t been for Mr. Lynch, I would never have fallen in love with physics or dared to take AP Physics the following year. At that moment, I decided I wanted to be like Mr. Lynch and inspire students to understand their potential, giving them an experience that encourages their interest in science and the possibility of pursuing it further.
2. I am looking forward to being part of a community that prioritizes growth and fosters an environment of excellence.
3. I love playing volleyball and snowboarding, but above all else, I am the ultimate fan of Survivor. It is my absolute dream to win Survivor one day, and a lot of my hobbies are really just preparation for the day I am sent off to Fiji.
4. Teleportation—traffic is my biggest enemy.

Daniel Kaye (Math)

1. I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of teenagers. In high school, I had a teacher who had a massive impact on my life and was such a positive role model for me while I was navigating through high school. My hope is that I can become a positive role model for students inside and outside the classroom.
2. I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Scarsdale community. I have only heard positive things about the community of Scarsdale and the students in the school and cannot wait to become a member of this positive community.
3. Outside of the classroom, my favorite things to do are play golf, travel the world and watch the Buffalo Bills. I also love spending time with my friends and family.
4. If I were a superhero, I would be able to fly. No one likes getting stuck in traffic and being able to fly would make any sort of travel easier!

Nadia Kemp (Psychologist)

1. I decided to become a school psychologist because I am passionate about supporting students throughout their academic journey and enjoy helping students achieve their goals. School has always been a “home away from home” for me, and I want to promote that same sense of belonging here at SHS!
2. I am returning to Scarsdale High School after being an intern for 2 years, and a leave replacement during the 2023-2024 school year. I’m most excited about being a part of the Scarsdale community again and working with such great students and staff. I’m also looking forward to coaching our Varsity Softball team this year. It’s going to be a great season, Go Raiders!
3. Outside of school, I enjoy going to the beach, working out and spending time with friends and family.
4. If I was a superhero, I’d like to be able to clone myself so that I could be in two places at once. It would be a great way to get more done in a day!

Daniela Maddaloni (Math)

1. I’ve been wanting to be a teacher since the fourth grade. In 9th grade, I started tutoring all of my friends in math, and word of mouth quickly spread as I began tutoring their friends, too. This sparked my desire to become a math teacher.
2. The positive support and sense of community among fellow math teachers.
3. I love cooking, selling my lesson plans on my online store (Teachers Pay Teachers), and taking care of my two small children.
4. Teleportation. I love traveling and wish I could skip the plane!

Lillian Savastano (Math)

1. I wanted to become a math teacher because, early on, math didn’t come easily to me. However, my passion for the subject drove me to work hard and improve. I found joy in tackling problems and felt a deep sense of accomplishment in achieving the right answers. This journey taught me the value of perseverance and hard work, and I wanted to share that experience with others. By teaching math, I hope to inspire students to embrace challenges and discover their own love for the subject, just as I did.
2. I am thrilled to be back at the school that holds a special place in her heart. As an SHS graduate, it’s incredibly rewarding to return and teach math at the school where I first developed my passion for the subject. I look forward to giving back to the community and inspiring students, just as my teachers once inspired me.
3. I love to travel and explore new places. There’s something thrilling about diving into different cultures, trying new foods, and soaking up unique experiences. I also have a passion for fashion, especially when it comes to thrifting. I enjoy hunting for one-of-a-kind items and hidden gems that you just can’t find in regular stores.
4. If I could choose a superpower, I would choose needing less sleep. That way, I’d have more time each day to tackle new projects, try out different hobbies, and spend time with loved ones.

Anna Tomasini (Math)

1. I have never had a passion quite like teaching in my entire life, simply because the idea of hugely impacting another human’s life inspires me everyday to keep going. I want to be the teacher students remember as someone who never gave up on them and always pushed them past their limits. I want them to gain their own voice in my classroom as well as self confidence to take with them through all their future schooling or career paths. I always wanted to be a high school teacher, but the decision to pursue mathematics was not solidified until my own high school years. Math was my favorite subject my entire life, up until my mindset changed when I reached AP Calculus my senior year. I started to severely doubt my math skills and actually began to struggle solving problems. My teacher that year was not only the reason I didn’t drop down to a lower level, but also the reason I decided I want to be a math teacher. She was the type of teacher that would challenge you and push you to be your best, while simultaneously making math enjoyable. She was the one person I never wanted to let down and tried my hardest to make proud. Six years later and her influence is still what I’m hoping to recreate in my own classroom.
2. This year, I am looking forward to building positive rapport with my students as well as my new colleagues. I’m eager to gain new teaching skills from my mentor, coworkers, and even my new students. I cannot wait to share my love of teaching as well as learning with my Geometry students.
3. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing volleyball, pickleball, and basketball. I also partake in pilates and strength training classes with some of my friends on weekends or weeknights. When I am not exercising, I also enjoy reading books, playing video games, and binge watching various reality shows.
4. If I was a superhero, I would want my superpower to be the ability to teleport. I am not a huge fan of long rides or traveling, but if there was a way to quickly get from one place to another, I would take advantage of that.