TEACHER FEATURE

Please tell us a little bit about your academic and professional background.

Dr. Maciejewski: I graduated from Duke with a Biology Major, then obtained a Medical Degree (MD) from New York Medical College (NYMC). My clinical interests include Pediatrics and Psychiatry. I enjoy caring for children and adolescents and promoting their mental well-being, education, and confidence in their own capabilities.

Ms. Ansioso: I have taught for three years. I taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Mother Seton Academy in Howell, New Jersey, for two years which ultimately began my passion for teaching in the Catholic educational realm. I then extended my teaching career to middle school where I taught a mixed group of special education students ranging from grades six to eight at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Old Bridge, New Jersey. This experience gave me extreme amounts of compassion and patience as I dealt with students from all kinds of backgrounds with diverse abilities. I needed to be attentive to creating individualized lesson plans and modeling my teaching to meet the needs of each pupil. I believe this experience molded me into a well-rounded and versatile educator ready for anything. I have also tutored for numerous years in science and math, as well as Italian. I am now blessed with the opportunity to take my love for teaching, mathematics, and the Catholic faith to Cathedral High School.  

What attracted you to Cathedral?

Dr. Maciejewski: I was searching for a place where I felt that I could make a meaningful difference in students' lives. Cathedral High School has created a community where students from diverse backgrounds who are motivated to learn are provided with the skills and tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Ms. Ansioso: Teaching at Mother Seton Academy birthed a love for teaching Catholic values and being in the kind of tight-knit community that a Catholic school offers. Having attended St. Finbar’s School for elementary school and St. Ambrose for middle school, I experienced first-hand the beauty of receiving a Catholic education and that feeling of unity that follows you forever. Having done my research about Cathedral High School and having learned its marvelous and empowering history dating all the way back to 1905, I felt that there was no better place for me to further my career as an educator. I absolutely love what Cathedral stands for and the type of pathways we pave for our students to excel into the future. Becoming a Cathedral teacher was one of the best decisions of my life!

What are your impressions of the students so far?

Dr. Maciejewski: It has been an absolute pleasure so far. The young women at Cathedral are intelligent, respectful, and care for one another. When I teach or interact with the students, I see so much potential in them, so many bright futures. These are our future female leaders. I am so proud of them.

Ms. Ansioso: Our girls are some of the most dedicated and loving young women I have ever come across! They have been beyond welcoming to me and have made me feel wanted and right at home. I look forward to growing with and learning more about the girls as the school year goes on.

What do you love about the subject matter that you teach?

Dr. Maciejewski: I like teaching mathematics to young women because many students have preconceived notions about it (whether imposed by society or otherwise). I like the challenge of showing them that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to, as long as they approach it with an open mind. The sky's the limit.

Ms. Ansioso: Mathematics has always been my forte. I love that there are so many different ways to teach it and explain it so that every single student thoroughly understands the material. Math is always seen as the ‘scary’ and ‘difficult’ subject, but my mission this year is to remove that stigma and get my students to feel absolutely confident about their skills. I want them to be able to explore those various methods and to deeply understand the topics we cover.

Please tell us one fun fact about yourself and what you like to do when you’re not teaching.

Dr. Maciejewski: A fun fact is that I used to play the alto saxophone and oboe. In my free time, I enjoy listening to new music and various podcasts, walking my puppy Rudy, reading a good book beside my cat Luna, catching up with old friends from school, and discovering new developments in math, science, and medicine.

Ms. Ansioso: I absolutely love to bake and cook! I am always the designated pastry chef for any family event and holiday. I also run both the True Crime Club and Sisterhood Club here at Cathedral.