We took it upon ourselves to interview UPenn alumni and the newest member of our HMHS staff, Mr. Nelson. Previously employed for eight years at Cristo Rey High School located in Northern Philadelphia, Nelson is enjoying his decision to come to teach at HMHS. He left due to long commute times and preferences for a smaller, tight-knit community, and Nelson has come to love the new location and community he has joined. Despite being at the school for a short period of time, he has begun making relationships with many teachers in the humanities center. He has also already made relationships with many of his students in his first few weeks, making himself open to students who have questions or would like to get to know him. 

This HMHS community shocked Mr. Nelson, the freedom the students have here. He stated “My old school was very motivated, but they had to wear uniforms, needed hall passes, and couldn’t go out [for lunch].”  This new environment is surprising for Nelson, but he enjoys how open and free the students are to interact with each other, as well as teachers.

Mr. Nelson also has a love for the popular leisure sport, spikeball. He began playing in college and got very competitive with his friends. Mr. Nelson and his peers thought they were so good that they decided to join a pro tournament in hopes of winning some extra cash. Their egos led to an embarrassing 0-3 defeat, including being swept away by two Amish women. You can expect him to participate in future spikeball tournaments run by the school if he can find another faculty member to participate with him. Furthermore, Mr. Nelson has a family of four including his wife and two young kids, Leo and Evie (3 and 2 years old). Mr.Nelson is a great addition to this school and the Haddonfield community.