New teachers boast various BCP connections
Cory Wyman ’16
THE ROUNDUP
There are a number of new teachers this year with a variety of experience and connections to the school.
This group includes Mr. Chris Stevens ’85, Ms. Breanne Toshner and Mr. Kevin Burke.
Mr. Burke comes to Brophy after having taught at Desert Mountain for 10 years.
Ms. Toshner is teaching for the first time this year, and Mr. Stevens comes back to Brophy after having left in 1997.
Mr. Stevens teaches math in P122, specifically both regular and honors Algebra 2. However, Mr. Stevens is not new to the Brophy community.
Mr. Stevens not only graduated from Brophy, but also worked here from 1989-1997. He then moved to Colorado for a number of years.
Mr. Stevens already plans to help out with both the wrestling and baseball teams once their seasons come around.
“If you’re going to teach, there is no finer place to teach than here,” Mr. Stevens said when asked why he decided to come back.
Ms. Toshner teaches Algebra 2 and Honors Pre-Calculus in P119, and is new to teaching, but not new to the Brophy community.
Ms. Toshner worked in electrical engineering for the past five years designing the electrical work for hospitals.
When starting out as an electrical engineer five years ago, Ms. Toshner worked at a local cafe, and through that, got to know some of the students from Brophy, along with being familiar with some staff at Brophy as well. She said that influenced her decision to come here.
Ms. Toshner said she has enjoyed her teaching experience so far, being able to better the education of others and being a part of this great community.
Ms. Toshner said that she interacted with very few people at her old job, but here, is able to be around others consistently and enjoys the freedom that she gets from teaching her own class.
“I think she is starting off well and will continue to improve as her career continues,” said one of Ms. Toshner’s students, David Tonner ’15.
Ms. Toshner said she has not officially decided to commit to any particular activity yet, but she is interested in the robotics club and is entertaining the possibility of helping with theater, as she has a background in it.
Mr. Burke teaches Chemistry in P214. As he taught Chemistry at Desert Mountain as well, he said he has a few years experience, but welcomes the chance to get to become part of not just the faculty, but the community as well.
Mr. Burke said he had an amazing time teaching students over the summer, and has had an amazing time teaching here so far. Mr. Burke decided to come to Brophy as his son had gone here years ago, and had convinced him that it was a great school, one with a good sense of community and faith-based instruction that Desert Mountain just didn’t have.
Mr. Burke said he has not become attached to any particular club or activity yet, but is ready to join whatever opens up.
Other new teachers this year include: Mr. Perry Petrich, SJ, in the English Department, Ms. Jessica Baker, at Loyola Academy, Mr. Ian Munro, in the World Language Department, Mr. Jose Leyba ’94, in the World Language Department, and Mrs. Sally Bravo at Loyola Academy.