El Dios de Español: Señor Scott Scalici
If you can go back in time, what would you do differently in high school?
Senor Scalici: I would be a better student and get better grades, because I coasted through the material. Also, I regret the way I behaved in high school.
What was your favorite part of high school?
Senor Scalici: Sports; I played football, wrestled, and ran track. Sports allowed me to be supported by friends.
If you were able to, would you go to an IB school?
Senor Scalici: Now, yes. At the time, no because I wasn’t into working hard and putting in effort into school.
Did you teach at a home school, and if so, how was your experience?
Senor Scalici: I taught full-day at Ford and taught half-day at Stevenson. I enjoyed my time there as well as the kids there.
What profession would you choose if you didn’t become a teacher?
Senor Scalici: Web designer. I had an interest in high school and made web pages for Ford. I also majored in computer science for 3 semesters.
What do you most enjoy about teaching?
Senor Scalici: Interacting with kids and people.
What is one challenge about teaching?
Senor Scalici: Managing my time; I have four to five classes to teach, coaching, parenting, and being a husband.
What led you to go to the college that you attended?
Senor Scalici: My cousin was at CMU, and I enjoyed the campus, which has a small foot-print.
What was a favorite/funny memory while teaching?
Olympics. I was overwhelmed by the spirit, plus I wasn’t expecting it from a small school. I have a funny moment, but not appropriate for the newspaper.
Who is a memorable student and why?
Senor Scalici: I can’t think of one, there’s stars in Spanish and kids I got along with because of AMES.
Recall a challenge that taught you something and how did you move forward?
Senor Scalici: I unfortunately had to deal with the death of a few students. The community of each student helped me grieve and reminisce with the parents.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Senor Scalici: Travel to Italy, the Grand Canyon … I can’t think of anything else but travelling.
What places have you travelled to?
Senor Scalici: Spain, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Jamaica
What is your favorite television show?
Senor Scalici: The Office
What is your favorite movie?
Senor Scalici: The Godfather
What is your favorite song and artist?
Senor Scalici: “Wish You Were Here”; Pink Floyd
What is something students don’t know about you?
Senor Scalici: I was afraid of taking Spanish in high school. I just took it for the credits.