Just across the Big Room, when entering room 302, you may be startled to find that the familiar face of Ms. Taylor Smith-Kan is absent and instead replaced with a new face: Mr. Rob Moore.
Mr. Moore graduated from Loyola University, earned a Master of Arts from Villanova University, and eventually taught English and social studies for three years at a charter school in Camden, New Jersey.
He will replace Ms. Smith-Kan while on parental leave. As the temporary substitute for Ms. Smith-Kan, many questions arise as to what type of changes students will experience in his English classroom.
“The overall content of the course will remain the same,” Mr. Moore said, “However, the presentation of the course will certainly be different. [Both Ms. Smith-Kan and I believe that] the most authentic teaching occurs when instructors are able to put their own spin on lessons, assignments, and how their class approaches material. Attempting to mimic another teacher’s style or use their words as your own conveys to students a lack of investment or engagement on the part of the teacher.”
“The overall content of the course will remain the same. However, the presentation of the course will certainly be different.”
Mr. Rob Moore
Mr. Moore has been at Haverford since last winter, as an assistant coach for the rowing team. Being a coach and a teacher can certainly have both advantages and disadvantages. The common decision of whether or not to call someone by the title of “coach” or a more formal title can definitely be difficult, but Mr. Moore looks past that.
“I have always valued the relationship between teachers who also coach and student athletes.” Mr. Moore said. “What is great about Haverford in that regard is that the teacher/coach model is a norm rather than an exception.”
Mr. Moore’s new position in the Haverford community is partially thanks to the role he’s played as a coach since last year.
“I have always valued the relationship between teachers who also coach and student athletes.”
Mr. Rob Moore
“[I was] immediately impressed with how the rowers held themselves,” said Mr. Moore, “I have always valued the relationship between a teacher who also coaches and their student athletes. Coupled with the caliber of student who attends Haverford, I knew it would be a community I would want to be a part of.”
Mr. Moore has already attended school events, talked with Third Formers about integrating into upper school, and considered leading a cooking club.