Originally from Buffalo, New York, Mr. Sitarski comes to WA with his humble, easy going nature, ready to teach young learners.

Q. How has your experience working here been going?

A. Well outside of COVID last year, I think it’s gone very smoothly. I enjoy working with the students here.

Q. Which unit is the hardest to teach to your students?

A. To teach? Since I’m teaching algebra and geometry this year, some of the geometry questions can be a little bit overwhelming. Especially without a calculator.

Q. How is working with students during class vs. extra help sessions?

A. It’s always easier to work one-on-one with a student because you can more easily see what they’re struggling with. Also, they’re more likely to open up about what they don’t know. Sometimes, students are  sometimes reluctant to expose themselves to not knowing something. They feel some embarrassment or  discomfort at revealing that they don’t know something. And still it’s a common obstacle for learning. But if you ask questions, usually you’ll get them answered.

Q. What method of teaching in your opinion is the best, and why is that?

A. Engaging students in hands-on activities is better for student learning. But that can’t always be accomplished for some of the math topics that we covered, and that’s a frustration. But we do want to accommodate all types of learners.

Q. What’s something you do in your free time?

A. Well, I have a dog at home that I help take care of, it’s a mix, it’s half shih tzu and half B sharp. It has a little personality of its own, it’s a challenge for sure. 

Q. Have you taught at other schools

A. I’ve been a teacher for about 20 years. And I’ve taught at a couple different high schools in Eastern Massachusetts. 

Q. What is your thought on the school’s schedule, and have you adapted yet?

A. I think the advantage of it is that for students to have their block at different times of the day. So it’s not great seeing a student every morning first thing for their algebra or geometry class, and I think they appreciate having it at different times of the day,

Q. If you could teach another subject, what would it be and why

A. I think I’d like to teach history because I’m a big fan of historical stories. Civil War American History in the world, favorite historical stories, you know. I [also] like the kind of evolution of technology and how it’s affected how the world’s been shaped.