Mr. Breisch transitions from technology coach to math teacher

Southern Lehigh welcomes Mr. Breisch to the math department.

After sixteen years of working as an instructional technology specialist at Southern Lehigh High School, Mr. Joseph Breisch has returned to the classroom. This fall, Mr. Bresich joined the math department, teaching Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. He is most excited about the opportunity to help his students grow as learners.

Prior to becoming a technology coach, Mr. Breisch worked as a math teacher for three years. He first taught at Boonsboro and Cumberland Valley High Schools before coming to Southern Lehigh and teaching Pre-Calculus, Algebra I, and Algebra II.

“I enjoyed the classroom and the students,” Mr. Breisch said. “I also enjoyed [the] regular schedule and the content.”

Although Mr. Breisch will miss not being able to help everyone in the building with technology on a daily basis, he is looking forward to building relationships with his students. As a technology coach, Mr. Bresich worked out of the library and helped teachers and students incorporate technology into their curriculum. This often included him helping with video assignments and troubleshooting with technology software.

While Mr. Breisch was a technology coach, he missed the aspect of not being able to connect and interact with students in the classroom. He wasn’t able to talk to them and get to know them on a more personal level, as he would in the classroom. As a classroom teacher, he will be able to watch his students succeed and make progress over the course of the year.

“I enjoy connecting with my students,” he said. “I get to learn more about them through the lessons I teach them.”

One aspect of teaching that Mr. Breisch enjoys most is when he teaches something and his students understand the concept.

“Something I enjoy the most about teaching is the satisfaction of helping students and seeing the light bulb go off,” he said.

Mr. Bresich acknowledges that transitioning to his new role will not be easy; however, he is up for the challenge. He plans to prioritize staying on top of planning, grading, and missed work. One of his main focuses as a teacher will be keeping students up to date about what they missed when they are absent.

Mr. Bresich is ready for the change, and excited to embark on this chapter of his life as the newest member of the math department at Southern Lehigh High School.

About the Contributor

Nicole Zweifel, Staff Reporter

Throughout her last four years at Southern Lehigh, senior Nicole Zweifel has played a vital role in Southern Lehigh’s three publications. She served for two years as co-president of the Art and Literary Club which produces the annual Art and Literary Magazine, collaborated as a member of the Solehian yearbook staff, and reported for the Spotlight student newspaper during her senior year. “In our publications, we’re always working toward an end goal, and it was cool being able to see the end product of all the work we put into writing, reporting, editing, and making pages,” Zweifel said. In fact, of all the teachers that Nicole has had in high school, there was one in particular that left the strongest impression: Mrs. Sheryl Ciotti, who served as the advisor for the Art and Lit Magazine. “Mrs. Ciotti has been a teacher in all aspects of my life,” Zweifel said. “She has always been very encouraging to me, and I made great memories with her through Art and Lit.” Naturally, Nicole’s favorite article to write for the Spotlight this year was “Farewell to Mrs. Ciotti, hello to Mrs. Fox,” which commemorated Mrs. Sheryl Ciotti’s time at Southern Lehigh High School before transferring to the district’s middle school, and introduced Mrs. Ella Fox as the high school’s newest English teacher. Additionally, Nicole’s step-sister, who works as an environmental lawyer, has served as an irreplaceable role model in Nicole’s life by being supportive and influencing Nicole to have a strong work ethic. As she reflects on the last four years, Zweifel notes that some of her favorite high school memories include attending pep rallies and Art and Literary Club Coffee Houses. “These were really fun experiences where we got to rally around each other as a community and see people’s talents shine in a supportive environment,” Zweifel said. After graduating, Zweifel plans to attend Northampton Community College and then continue her education at a university to study psychology with a focus on rehabilitation and human services. She found that after taking psychology in her junior year with social studies teacher Mr. Troy Ruch, she enjoyed learning about the brain and the complexities of human interactions. “I think a career in which I am able to help other people would be very fulfilling,” Zweifel said. Nicole dreams of going on a missionary experience with her church while traveling the world. She has also expressed interest in writing a book. “I just want to help others and serve my community,” she said. To underclassmen, Nicole leaves one last piece of advice. “Keep trying and never give up, because giving up will get you nowhere in life, and trying will at least get you somewhere.”

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Mr. Breisch transitions from technology coach to math teacher