None of the students knew just what to expect. Over the previous eight months, the students, just now settling into their seats, have seen a lot of change, and now with only weeks left, will experience yet another. To many, the school year is already over, and while finals and nearly a month of school are still ahead of them, these last weeks serve as only a period at the end of the 6-month story that was the 2021-2022 school year. But, to one individual, their year is only just beginning, and as the bell rings, all of the questions circulating the room are about to be answered. 

The retirement of Maria Fela midway through the 2022 school year left gaps in the Revere Spanish department, and RHS needed to find someone to close the gap. Rachel Vanderground would be that fit, and due to her hiring before the end of the school year, she began her transition into the classroom with only a month left of instruction.

Spanish is a language that requires thousands of hours of dedication to become fluent and an even greater commitment to master. Vanderground spoke about how she first developed a passion for the language and what it took for her to master it.

“Firestone, where I graduated high school, has an International Baccalaureate Program, which helped me develop a love for the language. Then I went to college and majored in Spanish. I took four years of it there, and then spent a semester living and studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain,” Vanderground said.

Having mastered the language, Vanderground then chose to tackle another challenge and learn to teach it. Spanish is a language that many who first learn fail to master, so in many cases, it requires a push to reach that level. Vanderground explained who helped to give her that push.

“I would say my high school Spanish teacher inspired me, too; he was the one that fostered that love of the language and showed me how much fun it could be to use the language. I had a lot of classmates with me who stuck in those classes and many of us that went on to use the language in our careers,” Vanderground said.

Having had such a role model in her early career, Vanderground has seen what it takes to run a successful classroom. Additionally, through the vast amount of Spanish education she has experienced, she has an elevated understanding of what it takes to succeed. Vanderground told of what she has implemented to allow her students to have the same opportunities.

“I love to teach the language and watch as my students can understand more and more every day. But I think that getting students organized is just as important, and setting them up for success teaches them not just the basics of Spanish, but how to be successful both in the classroom and out of it as well,” Vanderground said.

Teaching does have its challenges, though, and multiplied are those challenges entering a new environment. On top of that, Vanderground’s start at Revere was also a return to teaching after a brief hiatus, but, it seems that neither of these issues has affected her, but that does not mean there have not been any. Vanderground explained what those challenges have been. 

“I would say the biggest challenge was coming back after not having taught through COVID. I didn’t have that experience in the classroom and to see the changes that it caused has made me have to adjust my expectations,” she said.

Challenges require adaptations, and having faced such challenges, Vanderground has learned to adapt even in such a short period. She explained what she has had to change about the way she approaches teaching at RHS.

“I have learned how to meet different students where they are. That has been a bit of a change trying to figure out how to best serve each student. Everyone is at a different level and learning to teach each of them in the ways they need to be taught has been my biggest change,” Vanderground said.

Being at a new school not only brings challenges in the face of students though. The world surrounding the classroom holds just as much weight. A new school district can also place a different set of expectations on an individual. Vanderground described her experience so far in the district.

“The high standards here have stuck out to me. There is a real sense of community among the students and just a sense of pride from the community in general about Revere Schools. I respect the sense of wanting the whole student to succeed at all aspects, intellectually, academically, socially, and emotionally,” Vanderground said.

In more than one way, Vanderground was starting at a new school. Not only had the new building only been constructed a year prior, but the administration she was entering into was also a new one. Vanderground spoke on what entering such a fresh situation meant to her.

“It was refreshing for me not only to come into a new building with all of the advantages that it brings, but also to be welcomed with a new administration that has been so supportive, and has helped me get off my feet,” Vanderground said.

One member of this new administration was RHS Principal Dr. Andy Peltz, who was still in his first year when Vanderground was hired, and she served as part of the first wave of new educators Peltz would bring in. Due to this process taking place so early into Peltz’s time, the decision meant even more to him. He explained how it impacted him.

“It was nice to be part of the process from the beginning, finding someone who meets my vision for the building. I like to have teachers who are going to supplement that and not detract from it. Knowing I’m hiring someone who’s going to carry on the vision in the classroom is important,” Peltz said.

Choosing a new teacher can be very difficult, especially when they are stepping in for a teacher who had been in the community for so long, and there are a plethora of others gunning for the same position. Through it all though, Vanderground stood out as the prime contender. Peltz told of what stood out to him while going through the hiring process.

“I always wanted to bring in someone with a certain level of experience. During the interview, not only was her resume impressive, but she was able to teach multiple levels of Spanish from Spanish I to AP. She did a mini-lesson for us, which was just outstanding. We were immediately engaged. I don’t speak Spanish, and I was able to follow, understand, and be engaged completely. That was when I knew she was the right fit,” Peltz said.

In her short time at the school, Vanderground has already made an impact, one that has been felt throughout the school. Peltz has noticed that impact and explained what that means to him.

“What has stood out to me is the amount of communication she’s had with department members, students, and parents. She has been outstanding in newsletters, emails, and speaking in department meetings, which helps to emphasize how she’s a veteran teacher but new to us,” Peltz said.

In her department, Vanderground has also made an impact. Department head Katie Ryan described what impact she has noticed and what that means to not only her but her students as well.

“She goes above and beyond to help her students by providing extra help after school. She cares about her students and is passionate about teaching the Spanish language. I think that students will appreciate her thorough lesson plans and how well organized her classes are,” Ryan said.

Ever since a start that came with so many questions from the students of that chattering class, Vanderground has proven that no matter the circumstance, she can make a difference in her student’s education. Vanderground has only been a member of RHS for a very short amount of time, but the impact she has had on not only her students, but the community around her is vast.