Trading places: teacher edition

Teachers switched places with one another on Oct. 23 in District 13. It was mystery teacher day, an event chosen by students during the budget vote in May.

Students did not know who would be coming into their classroom for the first two periods of the day. Through the district’s Democracy in Action program, each May students can select a theme day when their parents come for the budget and board of education vote. Past themes have include rock ‘n’ roll day and jersey day.

“It was what the kids wanted,” said Darren Gruen, principal of the James A. Dever School, about mystery teacher day. “Their voice was heard. They picked what they wanted us to do and we made it happen. To see it actually come to fruition was important for them.”

Gruen and his fellow principals all traded places, too. He taught physical education while Peter Schwasnick left the gym and ran the building. Howell Road Principal Frank Huplosky switched with librarian Nada Tannen. At Wheeler Avenue, Linda Balaban took over as the school’s leader while Principal Christine Zerillo headed to the classroom. Willow Road Principal Stephanie Capozzoli was replaced for the morning by psychologist Dr. Susan Nissen.

For Gruen, it was a lot of fun to go back to his roots and be a classroom teacher again, if only for a few hours. He said the day overall was a success. “I think everybody really took it in the way it was supposed to be — something fun and lighthearted,” Gruen said. “I heard really nice things from the teachers. The children loved it.”