Going back to high school as an adult feels like the plot of a 2000s comedy, one that several alumni teachers at Poly find themselves starring in. There’s something to be said about the way life takes you on unexpected twists and turns, with these faculty members being prime examples of how life can lead us back to our beginnings. Poly is uniquely positioned to have many alumni teaching at our school, such as Upper School teachers Adam Feldmeth, Gregory Luna, Rachel Dunham, Middle and Upper School Performing Arts teacher Eric Lifland, and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Michaela Mares-Tamayo. As I spoke to some of these teachers, they revealed the values that make Poly worth returning to.
Upper School English teacher Gregory Luna, a proud 2005 Poly graduate, is currently a long-term English substitute at Poly. During his high school years, Luna developed a passion for literature and reading, which was reflected in his involvement with The Paw Print as editor-in-chief. Although he hadn’t initially considered the idea of returning to Poly, when Luna began tutoring high school students, he was reminded of how meaningful writing and literacy skills are for teenagers. After fondly recalling his high school teachers, he was inspired to return to Poly and give students the same experiences he remembered. To this day, Luna has maintained the strong friendships that he formed in high school, and he is excited to build new ones within the Poly community during this new chapter. When I asked Luna for one piece of parting advice, he shared, “When you have this much support at a great school like this, you know, to follow your heart, as cheesy as it sounds.”
Another Poly alum, Upper School Science Department Chair Rachel Dunham, graduated from Poly in 2001. Today, she teaches physics and heads Poly’s upper school science department. Looking back on her time at Poly, she remembers bonding with friends during her free periods, lunch and the Outdoor Education trips. After working as a research assistant, Dunham decided she wanted to return to teaching and instantly remembered the phenomenal teachers she had at Poly, prompting her to return to the school in 2017. Now, Dunham is thrilled to re-meet some of her high school peers through Poly’s community and reconnect with them in new ways. Dunham noted, “I still had strong friendships with previous teachers at Poly when I came back and with classmates and with people I’ve reconnected with now in the area,” reiterating how important building strong relationships is in high school and in life.
Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Eric Lifland graduated from Poly in 2012. A Poly lifer, he said some of his most memorable moments include winning his 4th-grade typing contest, the Poly Pet and Hobby Show and his deep involvement in the performing arts. As soon as he began teaching music classes after college, Lifland discovered his passion for working with students. Memories of his positive experiences in the Poly arts, particularly his senior musical, prompted him to consider returning to Poly as a teacher. Now, as a member of the faculty, Lifland hopes to give students the opportunities for creativity he received by carrying forward the teachings of his own instructors into his music lessons today. More than anything, he remarked, “I just love all the different chances to make music and put on shows and concerts and performances here at Poly.”
All of these incredible teachers agree that, even though the Poly they originally knew has changed physically, the essence of the community remains strong. The strong bonds they forged and the community spirit they experienced as students are what inspired them to return as proud panthers.