Five new teachers have joined the math department, replacing vacancies left by departing teachers, in addition to filling new positions.
Cristina Miranda Bello, Cecilia Dong, Ren Huffman, Sean Sorenson and Rebecca Uchyn have all begun their first year at Chapel Hill High School. The new teachers bring a balance of youth and experience, as well as diverse backgrounds and teaching experiences.
For Cecilia Dong, there’s a lot to get used to. Going into her third year teaching, Dong is still adjusting to school in America; last year, Dong taught one year at a private school in China.
Dong is inspired by seeing her students grow. “I think the most enjoyable part is that you can see the change in students from saying, ‘I am not good at math’ to something like, ‘I will try my best,’” she said.
Rebecca Uchyn’s favorite part of teaching is also seeing the students mature. “Seeing kids grow is a really cool experience,” she said.
As the newest AP Statistics teacher at Chapel Hill High, Uchyn brings valuable knowledge and experience to the department.
She taught for ten years at Rock Canyon High School in Colorado. Six of those years were in her favorite subject, AP Statistics. Uchyn also teaches Math 3 at Chapel Hill High School.
In contrast to Uchyn’s experience, Cristina Miranda Bello is starting her first year of teaching.
Miranda currently teaches Math 1 and Honors Math 3. “I have definitely been adjusting to being a teacher,” she said, “but I really like it so far.”
During the 2023-2024 school year, Miranda did her student teaching at Chapel Hill High School under math teacher Jamie Hartzell.
Miranda shared her passion for math. “I love being able to talk about math every day,” she said, “and I love meeting and getting to know all my students.”
Ren Huffman has the most experience out of all the new teachers. The 2024-2025 school year marks Huffman’s sixteenth year teaching; last year, she taught at a private school in Portland, Oregon.
Huffman has a background in teaching multiple math classes. “I have taught all types of math from Algebra 1 to Calculus BC, physics, AP Physics, Computer Science, Robotics and Engineering,” she said.
She has been very impressed with Chapel Hill High so far. “You truly have the nicest school I have ever had the pleasure to teach in,” Huffman said. “I loved my school in Portland, but you guys are even better.”
Sean Sorenson is also a fan of Chapel Hill High School. “The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district in itself seems to function a whole heck of a lot better than my previous school district,” he said. “The students and staff make my job a lot easier than it was previously.”
The 2024-2025 school year will be Sorenson’s fourth year as a teacher. His first three years were at Manchester West High School in New Hampshire.
Sorenson said that he enjoys the social aspect of being a teacher. “[It’s better than being] stuck in some cubicle where I have zero interaction,” he said.
Sorenson also enjoys the opportunity to positively impact the students. “It is very fulfilling being able to make impacts on another’s life, whether it is life altering or just marginally,” he said.
