Before coming to Woodgrove, one of the three new teachers jumped in the Arctic Ocean. One has visited five of the seven continents. And another has done a presentation with L

in Manuel Miranda. Though their experiences are different, all three of the new teachers share a common interest in connecting with their students.

Mr. William Stark teaches Intro to Business and Marketing along with semester courses Business Management and Business Law. He grew up in suburban New Jersey, and at the age of seventeen, he started earning his bachelors at the Coast Guard Academy. He also began his training and boot camp there.

Being stationed all over the world has given Stark the opportunity to swim in three of the world’s four oceans. “We did some outreach up in the arctic…We jumped in the ocean. It was really, really, really cold, as you would expect,” he shared about his trip to Alaska.

However, Stark knew he did not want to spend the rest of his working life in the Coast Guard. Through it, he found a new love. “My last job in the Coast Guard was teaching…In most cases, it was adults much older than myself…I found that teaching role that I enjoy, making lessons and then teaching them. I was due to transfer soon…They said, ‘We want you to go back to the west coast.’ I was on the fence. I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to take a step out and explore what teaching’s about.’ So then I got my teaching license at William and Mary, and I’ve been loving it ever since,” he explained.

Since then, Stark has worked at John Champe High School and Warhill High School. He started off in the social studies department, teaching Economics and Personal Finance. “I found that I really enjoyed teaching many of the useful skills in that class,” he detailed. “After three years, my school needed a new business teacher. I went and earned my business education teaching endorsement, and I switched to that job.”

A Purcellville resident, Stark described what he appreciates about now also working in Western Loudoun. “It’s just wonderful to be in the community where I live and teach,” Stark expressed, happily. He enjoys being able to go to places like football games and local businesses, where he is often able to introduce his wife and his nine-month old son to students he runs into. “I tell my classes I love them at the end of the day because I do mean that, in the sense that I care very much for them…I hope that you guys can gain something from my class, but at the same time, live your own lives…Nevertheless, we’re here to have a good time.”

The next new teacher is not completely new to Woodgrove. He is just new to being behind the teacher’s desk.

Mr. Matthew Spears-Heinel grew up in Lovettsville and graduated from Woodgrove in 2014. “It’s mostly because of the teachers I met at Woodgrove. They convinced me [teaching] was a worthwhile career path,” Spears-Heinel explained.

Currently, Spears-Heinel teaches World History II and U.S. History. Prior to Woodgrove, he worked at Clarke County High School and Prince George County High School, where he taught

AP U.S. Government, Economics, and Personal Finance. This will be his sixth year teaching.

“My favorite part of being a teacher [is] getting to know the students. That’s fun,” Spears-Heinel said. “[I want my students to know] that I’m here for them. And I’m looking forward to a great year.”

Outside of school, Spears-Heinel enjoys baking, reading, and singing. “I am very much interested in singing. I sing with this group in Ashburn on the weekends when I’m off teaching,” he shared. Another thing on his list of hobbies is traveling. “I’ve visited five of the seven continents. I’m only missing South America and Antarctica. I hope that changes soon.”

Woodgrove’s final new teacher also works in the social studies department.

Mr. Zachary Gargan, a Pittsburgh native, is spending his fifteenth year in education teaching World History I and Government. “I always thought teaching World History would be like staring at a wall ‘cause I always enjoyed gov,” he said. It turns out his World History classes are now his favorite to teach.

Gargan spent time working at Unity Braxton Middle School, Mercer Middle School, Willard Middle School, and Brambleton Middle School, where he taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. He also taught ninth grade history and AP Economics at Lightridge High School. Now, he is at Woodgrove. “[I’m excited to] just see how Woodgrove works. Be a part of Woodgrove,” Gargan expressed.

When he is not teaching, Gargan’s time is spent coaching the Woodgrove Junior Varsity Football team. At other schools, he has coached wrestling and baseball along with football. Gargan is also a father to two young children. He considers being a dad one of his biggest hobbies.

Another fun thing Gargan has done outside of school is visit the Capitol building with the creator of Broadway’s Hamilton. “I did a project one time that was chosen by Lin Manuel Miranda… I got to present with him and I got to go around to the Department of the Interior.”

“My favorite part? The lesson planning, the kids. I mean, that’s what makes it worth it,” Gargan said, speaking about the joys of being of a teacher. “I always tell them: come to school everyday. Come to class everyday. Work hard and you’ll be fine.”

If you see any of these teachers around the school or around town, do not hesitate to say hello. Salutations, staff!