This year Freehold Township High School has proudly welcomed Mr. Torres as the newest addition to our Patriot Family.  Mr. Torres, who had previously taught at Perth Amboy High School, is now a history and psychology teacher here at Township.  As new and exciting as this school year has been for him so far, Mr. Torres was generous enough to have contributed some wonderful information about his past, opinions about our school, and future expectations here at FTHS.

Q: So Mr. Torres, where did you begin your college education?

I attended Kean University where I planned on pursuing an education to ultimately be a psychologist. However with further thought, I decided to change my major later on to education because being a teacher was the path that I believed was fit for me.

Q: What is it that made you want to become a teacher?

Well after high school I took on a senior management corporate job where I trained individuals and realized just how much I liked to teach others. Also, I realized that I had always enjoyed working with teenagers through my youth group and community service activities over the years. I decided that History was the subject that I wanted to because from early on I fell in love with studying it.

Q: What subjects are you certified to teach in?

I have been certified to teach Social Studies courses. I have had experience teaching U.S. I, U.S. II, all levels of Psychology, World History, Western Civilization, Financial History, Cultural Anthropology, Genocide Studies, and Latin American studies.

Q: Please explain your first experience as a teacher after college.

Perth Amboy was the first and only school I had taught at before coming here. I taught all the history and psychology classes there for a total of six years. I did in fact have a strong attachment with the school considering I had graduated from there myself and Perth Amboy is my hometown where I was born and raised.

Q: What is it that you miss most about Perth Amboy High School?

It has been most difficult not seeing two of my social studies colleagues from Perth Amboy who I was most close with every day at school. Also, I miss all of the students who I became attached to, however I still remain in contact with them all which I am glad about.

Q: How has your experience at FTHS been so far?

My experience at Freehold Township has been absolutely great! The culture and atmosphere here at township is wonderful and I love my students who are all very respectful. My whole Social Studies department has been not only welcoming but equally very receptive, especially Mrs. Brusotti, Mr. Mehl, and Mr. Wagner!

Q: What have you found are the difficulties of being a new teacher?

Well it’s always a bit difficult when you’re new to anything. But I would have to say that it took me a little while to find my way around township because it is a bit bigger than Perth Amboy is. Also, it was difficult being familiar with my colleagues in the very beginning.

Q: If you could change one thing about Freehold Township High School what would it be?

Personally, I believe your school is great other than the fact that you guys had an abundance of school days off in the beginning of September which became difficult for me as a teacher with the lack of time I had in class with my students.

Q: From your experience so far here at township, would you consider our school to have good spirit?

This school has an extraordinarily greater amount of school spirit than my last school had. I love to see the cheerleaders decorate the football player’s lockers and students wearing their uniforms throughout the school day on game days. Also, I think it is great how your school has all these events going on for respect week and I must admit I like how there is music to start the day off before morning announcements.

Q: What are you looking forward to most in the upcoming school year?

I must admit I am pretty excited to see BOTC this year. I think it’s great how the winning classes of each school compete against each other! It is much different in Perth Amboy High School where the classes just compete against each other and that’s it.

Q: How do you spend your time outside of school?

Outside of school I like to spend as much time with my two teenage boys and wife, who I have been happily married to for seventeen years, as much as possible.

Q: What is it about teaching that you happen to love the most?

Being a teacher is most rewarding when you see your student’s appreciation to learn. I have always loved watching my students as they are engaged into the lesson and especially love to be available for help whenever they need me. I believe I have the best job there is and often tell my students that.