By Meghan O’Meara, Alyssa Rosen, and Julia Sandquist

Having to be constantly alert in multiple aspects of learning, classrooms can be very stressful environments for students.  From participating in class discussions to public speaking, the normal classroom setting can be overwhelming. However, in the Partnership Program at Walpole High School, the classroom is a relaxing place where students can relieve stress while learning at the same time.  As of the 2013-2014 school year, Mr. Jonathon Hanlon has joined this program at Walpole High School.

Hanlon, now a new teacher in Walpole this year, works with the Partnership Program at Walpole High School— a program designed to accommodate the individual needs of students who require it.  Hanlon teaches academic support classes, which ensure that students are getting their work done and re-teaches material for those who are struggling.

Growing up, Hanlon always considered teaching as a possible profession because with a passion for academics, he is most comfortable in a school environment. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an undergraduate at American International College in Woburn, MA.  Hanlon has been teaching for seven years and before coming to WHS, he taught at Longview Farm in Walpole.

Hanlon said, “Coming to Walpole High School is a breath of fresh air.”  He added that Walpole High School’s great administration allows the school to run so well, and it is a great upgrade compared to his previous teaching job.

Partnership, Hanlon describes, is where he feels most comfortable for he is used to small class sizes. He said, “The best part of my job is building relationships with the students.”  Hanlon truly enjoys getting to know his students on a personal level; he feels it is very important to connect with them in order to accommodate their individual needs. Additonally, Hanlon believes that developing a strong one-on-one relationship with a student is built on trust and helping them in any way possible—whether it is in academics or social skills.

When asked about what advice he would give to an incoming teacher in the future, jokingly, Hanlon said , “Keep snacks in your desk at all times.”

 Creating a stress free environment, Hanlon’s humor relaxes the students that he works with. As the year continues, he hopes to prove that he belongs in the Partnership Program by exhibiting his talent for making students feel at ease in the classroom.