High school English department acquires new teacher

A former Revere Middle School teacher has taken a position at Revere High School as an English teacher for 9th grade students.

Former seventh grade mathematics teacher Patrick DiCaprio transferred to the high school this 2016-2017 school year. DiCaprio, an avid guitarist and vocalist, likened his transition between subjects to music, describing it as relatively easy. He explained that his brain is trained to use both the left and right sides while playing music, making the change between subjects that use different sides of the brain not so tough. As for the transition between schools, he loves being at RHS and says it has been welcoming.

“I am loving getting back to the creative side and being in a position where I can allow students to write about their passions and sort of pursue their passions. All of the staff up here have been incredible, and knowing the students has eased some of the transition,” DiCaprio said.

For the past 7 years, DiCaprio has coached multiple sports including 7th grade girls basketball, JV girls basketball, JV golf, 8th grade football, and Varsity football. This year he decided to take a break from coaching in order to crack down on teaching and spend time with his family.

“[Coaching] is very time consuming. I want to spend a little time putting myself first for once and then sort of move back to it. I could see myself [coaching] down the road,” DiCaprio said.

Elizabeth Long, the teacher who had previously taught English at RHS, took a position as a Revere Middle School guidance counselor. According to Alan Silvidi, English Department Chair at RHS, Long has wanted such a position for a while.

“[Long] was really excited to get the opportunity at the middle school and I think that she will do an excellent job. She will be a great guidance counselor. I will miss her from my department though,” Silvidi said.

Revere High School has received DiCaprio well in his transition to the English Department. Phil King, principal of Revere High School, helped select him for the job and could not be more excited to have DiCaprio join the high school staff.

“I am grateful for [DiCaprio’s] hard work that he has put in to make this into a really good situation for our students. Whenever you have a job change, there is always a lot of unrest within your own mind, but he has sailed through that and really has enjoyed coming here and working with the staff to create a great 9th grade program,” King said.

DiCaprio will continue to teach 9th grade English for the rest of the 2016-2017 school year and beyond. He feels very grateful for the very successful transition he has had thus far.