Photo by Jack Tumpowsky
Laura Leifke
News Reporter
Deven Antani, a recent hire to the English department, is honored to be teaching at Newton South and continues to be impressed by the school’s motivated students.
Previously teaching at schools in New Bedford and Rehoboth, Antini finds South’s overwhelming size in students and in square feet unique, and thus, feels he needs to make an extra effort to connect with his students.
“I find Newton South to be far more accepting, and far more diverse. The students are really mature. They’re passionate, they’re driven. I recognize that it’s a big building and 2000 people it’s hard to feel at home, but you should feel at home in a good school like South,” said Antani.
Surprisingly, Antani was not searching for a job at South, but rather when the school reached out to him, Antani researched South and was blown away by the school’s resources and welcoming environment. Antani appreciates this acceptance, and he really values students’ self-expression.
“The people, is really what it came down to. Everybody I met was so nice, professional and passionate, which is everything to me. It felt like you could be authentically you, and everybody embraced that instead of trying to change you into something else,” said Antani.
Antani hopes to learn more from his students than previous years and wishes to contribute to the community, giving the students a teacher whom they deserve.
In addition, Antani understands that in such an academically driven school, the teacher’s job seems to only give information, and the student’s job is to get the grades. However, he explains how he tries to avoid this kind of classroom environment.
“To me it misses something fundamental about school. That can’t be all that teaching is, that’s not all that teaching should be. There is something else. That real connection,” Antani.
Overall, Antani maintains that the transition to South has been difficult because of his newborn daughter. While his busy work schedule limits his family time, Antani believes this job is “one hundred percent worth it” as the job continues to be rewarding.
“I tell everybody it’s the most taxing job physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually that I’ve ever known. I think if done right, then it’s proportionally rewarding. It’s great, I recommend it,” said Antani.
