Legends of Wethersfield High School

By: Elena Lapa (18)

  At Wethersfield High we have a fantastic staff teaching us more than academics in the classroom. Out of the 91 current teachers I interviewed some of the most tenured in the building

Richard Scopetto (40 years of teaching experience)
​Mr. Scopetto, often referred to as “Sco” by the students, is currently our only teacher who has been teaching at Wethersfield High since the late 1970’s! He has previously taught at Silas Deane Middle School and Webb Elementary as well. Sco is currently one of our physical education teachers, as well as the coach of girl’s tennis and boy’s wrestling coach. In the past, he taught Math at Webb Elementary.

I asked Sco about his teaching experience, and he responded by saying, “I come to school everyday to learn. I learn from the kids everyday.” Sco was eligible for retirement five years ago, and he said to me, “I come to school to have fun. Who’s gonna pay me to have fun? I get to interact with humans and I really enjoy it. Till this day”. Sco is a very positive and enthusiastic teacher. He comes in everyday with a positive attitude that not only uplifts himself, but the students as well.   

Joseph Kess (32 years of teaching experience)
Mr. Kess has been teaching at Wethersfield High School since 1985! He is currently teaching Physics, Computer Science, and AP Computer Science. In the past, Mr. Kess has also taught Algebra, Tech Ed, Math, AP Bio, and Anatomy & Physiology. He has been apart of the Wethersfield School District for over 30 years! I had previously asked Mr. Kess what his first day of teaching was like and he said, “I was very young looking at the time, so I sat in the back of the room and let the students think I was another student until class started”. Mr. Kess is the kind of teacher who wants students to be able to earn their grades in his class, so he tries not to do too much for them, but rather have them work for their grades on their own.

---

Jeffrey Moger (25 years of teaching experience)
Mr. Moger started his teaching career at the high school in the Fall of 1992. He has been a part of the Wethersfield Community for 25 years! He has mostly taught International Studies grade 10, and AP European History grade 12. Moger has always been excited to teach new students and to learn more from the students. I had asked Moger what he would recommend to future teachers and he said, “Teaching has to be enjoyable and purposeful or it becomes drudgery.  Don't teach during the summers or you risk burnout.  Though it is a great job, you need a break to be an adult and hang out with adults.  Keep learning your subject and your craft.  You can always know more and do better.” It’s important to connect with your students and create a bond with them so that not just the students, but the teachers can enjoy their time as well.

  We appreciate every teacher that help us succeed and move on in our lives. Their teachings have inspired us to do good in our academic lives and we appreciate them each and every day.