By Sarah Pfander
Gargoyle staff reporter
Posted Monday, May 15, 2006, The OG, news

This year Uni conducted a job search to fill a permanent, part-time English position. The search committee accepted numerous applicants and interviewed two main candidates: current part-time English teacher Matt Mitchell, who was hired on a temporary basis two years ago, and 1998 Uni grad Laura Koritz.

Mitchell was offered, and has now accepted, the position.

A New Jersey native and graduate of Rutgers University, Mitchell currently holds a 25-percent job, so he teaches one section of sophomores. Next year he will hold a 50-percent job and teach two sections of sophomores. This will free up English department head Elizabeth Majerus to teach sections of the new junior/senior courses.

Mitchell arrived at Uni in August 2004, replacing Agnes Bolesta, who had moved to Arizona that summer.

“[Uni] is truly a great place to teach,” says Mitchell, who is married to Majerus. “Everyone who teaches here is obviously committed to their work, and the students are always up for a good conversation. … I'm stoked for next year.”

Back in August 2004, Gargoyle reporter Roveiza Irfan asked Mitchell to discuss his philosophy of teaching and his expectations of Uni students.

“Conversation is the essence of teaching, ” he said. “I have this picture of Uni High students being extraordinary conversationalists. … I want them to impress me. What they write and think is important.”

Look for a profile of Mitchell in the upcoming Gargoyle print issue.