Center for Catholic Education at UD

By Victoria Schoen

                Our next Lalanne teacher is William Attilio Antonetti. He is a 22 year old from Gaithersburg, MD that graduated from the University of Maryland. William is a first year teacher in the Lalanne program that will be teaching at Cleveland Central Catholic High School as a part of the Cleveland community this school year. Let’s see what William’s responses were to the interview questions:

What is your favorite subject to teach? English

What is your favorite subject to learn? English or History

What is the one most important thing that you want your students to learn from you or take away from your teaching? Even if you forget every book we read and every piece of grammar I taught, I hope you remember that how smart you are does not matter it matters how kind you are.

Who is your role model? Describe them: St. Thomas More.

How were you inspired to become a teacher? My high school band instructor, Mr. Flannery, was a huge part of that. The Flan Man was one of the best teachers I have ever had. He brought a huge joy and passion to his job that has stuck with me.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? In college I was struggling with my economics major. I had always thought about teaching economics, but it was not the subject matter for me. After much prayer and attending several daily masses I realized that teaching was my vocation and made every effort to complete an English and Education major afterwards.

Why do you want to teach in Catholic schools? Catholic schools were such an important part of my own foundation, and I appreciate the moral fortitude and courage that those schools instilled in me.

What are three fun facts about you? I am the oldest of ten children.

My favorite shirt of all time had surfing manatees on it.

I have sword fought with an Olympic fencer.

If you could teach anywhere in the world where would you teach? I would like to go back and teach at my high school Alma Mater back in Washington, DC.

Tell us anything else you would like the readers to know about you…

Texas style BBQ is the best of all time. Accept no substitutes.

What do other members of the Lalanne program have to say about William?

“Will absorbs knowledge and facts like a sponge. He is full of knowledge about whales and is always up for a game.”

“Will keeps all of us on our toes.  His jokes that none of us understand truly make me realize how little I know about (whaling) literature and history.  One time he gave us a history fact for each score during a volleyball game.  It was very impressive.”

“Will will be a great teacher because he is so passionate about what he enjoys.”

“William is a powerhouse of knowledge and conversation.”

“Whale, whale whale, what do we have here? Whale Will’s quote of course! Let me tell you a “tail” about Will. He was out on his annual fishing trip with his friends when suddenly his friend said, “hey I know a whale joke”. To which Will responded, “it better be killer!” When his friends erupted in laughter that’s when he knew he had to be a teacher. Will’s optimistic and lively view of life allows him to “whale-come” his students into an environment that’s conducive to learning. In Will’s classroom his students open their eyes, minds, and hearts to the Lord and to learning.”