Tuning in With Teachers

Larissa Leiberson and Claire Quigley • October 5, 2012

Music has always played a big role in the Staples community. With outstanding musical productions, an incredible music department—including an orchestra, band and choir—and even a kid who walks the halls with a boom box on his shoulder, music truly is everywhere. In fact, the faculty at Staples also can’t help but tap their feet to their favorite songs to help them get through the day. From Mumford & Sons to ACDC, the staff members have quite the variety of artists on their top 5 lists. However, not all of the teachers listen to music on a regular basis. Take Mr. Betts, for example, who said, “I don’t personally own an iPod, but I do occasionally listen to my wife’s.” Still, many will be surprised to see what music they’re listening to. Who would’ve guessed that so many teachers are such audiophiles?

John Dodig

Principal

Roll Away Your Stone by Mumford & Sons
Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons
The Cave by Mumford & Sons
Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons

Dodig first “fell in love” with the band Mumford & Sons when he heard one of their songs on MTV, and they have since been his favorite artists. When asked about how big his music library is, Dodig joked, “I can probably drive to California and never hear the same song twice.”

Christine Hirth

Science Teacher

Good Day Sunshine by The Beatles
The Girl by City and Colour
Monday Morning by Death Cab For Cutie
This Head I Hold by Electric Guest

Music plays an important role in Hirth’s life. She constantly has her headphones on, whether she is at home or at work. “I love listening to music when I’m planning lessons,” she said. “It gets me into my groove.”

Raspati Horrigan

Librarian

Hells Bells by AC/DC
I’m Gonna Crawl by Led Zeppelin
Shoot To Thrill by AC/DC
Big Jack by AC/DC

Growing up with three older brothers, Horrigan has always been listening to rock bands like Led Zeppelin and ACDC. Looking over her “Top Five Playlist,” Horrigan laughed at all of the hard rock music on her iPod. “I’ve been listening to that since I was six; can you believe it?”

Kristin Shulz

English Teacher

Ai Se Eu Te Pego by Michael Teló
Closing Time by Semisonic
Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & The Papas
I Predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs

“Since so many of my friends are from foreign countries, I have grown to adore international music,” Schulz said. She first heard the song “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” when she was visiting Majorca last year and fell in love with it, even though the lyrics are in Portugese.

About the Contributor

Claire Quigley, Opinions Editor

Claire Quigley ’14 is an opinions editor on Inklings Newspaper. She has many hobbies that include dance, lacrosse, and is an active member of many clubs. Claire’s main focus for the past three years has been giving back to both her own community, and others as well. She has been apart of her church’s youth club for almost three years with many of her friends. This past summer, she had the amazing opportunity to help the less fortunate in the Dominican Republic. Claire and her youth group helped build houses, and teach many children who do not have the opportunity for an education speak English. “Those 10 days changed my life, I felt great each and every day because I knew I was making a difference.” said Quigley ’14. Aside from traveling to the Dominican, Claire and her youth group have also helped locally around Connecticut. She has helped build gardens, feed the homeless, and raise money for causes she believes in. She has put in many hours towards her youth group, and truly believes they are helping the world one project at a time. Besides Claire being a part of her youth group outside of school, she also enjoys writing both outside and inside school. This year Claire will be finishing her third year on Inklings and is excited to write many articles for both the paper and the web. Claire’s favorite article she wrote was “Where do I upload my Pictures?”