By Bobby Black – Staff Reporter

Mr. McPartland has been teaching Spanish for six years at Jonathan Law and has inspired many students to continue taking Spanish throughout their high school years. Advocate Staff Reporter Bobby Black interviewed Mr. McPartland about the school year. 

Bobby Black: How have COVID restrictions changed the way you teach your classes?

Mr. McPartland: The restrictions have undoubtedly changed the way I teach mainly because of the limitations that are put on the types of activities. This year, I haven’t done nearly the number of hands-on, group and partner types of activities that I would normally do. Not being able to share materials is tough, but my students have been incredibly flexible with their learning – I’m super lucky.

BB: How do you feel about the school year so far?

MM:  No doubt it’s been different, but I truly love coming to work everyday. This school year has taught me the importance of being adaptable and flexible both in and out of the classroom.

BB:  Throughout the rest of the school year, how are you going to prepare your students for the next Spanish class they take?

MM: We will continue to do what we have been doing all year. A big focus on vocabulary and conjunctions, which will allow my students to push their communication, especially through writing, to the next level.

BB: What do you enjoy most about coaching the JV basketball team?

MM: Coaching the JV basketball team is so much fun and is one of the highlights of my day, aside from coming into work every morning. Although we may not be where we want to be record-wise, it’s been awesome to see the progression our guys have made since day one. We look forward to continuing to get after it everyday!

BB: How do half-day schedules affect the way that you teach and how much you teach in the year?

MM: I wouldn’t say they affect the WAY in which I teach, however the amount of material that we are expected to get through has had to have been modified a bit. As we get closer to the end of the school year, we’ll see where each class is in terms of the curriculum and will adjust going into next year.