What Faculty and Staff Do Over Break

Aurelia Wen ’27 Assistant Features Editor

Thanksgiving and winter break are not only weeks for students to rest but also for teachers and faculty to take some time off from intense schedules and everlasting numbers of homework and assessments to grade.

For some teachers, break means spending time with family that lives far away. Math teacher Dani Blecher says, “My sister is coming from the West Coast this Thanksgiving. She's gonna stay with me for the full week that we're off, and then we're gonna drive to New York to go to my aunt's house.” Over in the sciences, Chemistry teacher Sarah Leite keeps it traditional: “For me, it’s all about family. Over winter break, I go to Ohio to see my family.”

For some, the highlight of Thanksgiving and winter break is welcoming their children back home from college. Director of Community Safety Andrew Burke says, “My son went off to college last year, so I'll be spending a lot of time with him.” Leite is also excited that “this year, I will be welcoming both of my children home for a few short days.” No matter the specific occasion, the holidays are a time to reconnect with loved ones.

Other teachers are still finalizing their holiday bucket lists, and colorful city lights are among the favorites. Administration support Heather Volosin hopes, “to go to New York City during the holidays to see the Christmas tree, maybe see a show, or just get coffee [and] really enjoy the city.” Similarly, Chemistry teacher Kristen Abraham wants to have some holiday fun with her son: “I want to go on the Essex steam train with my son this year and do the little Santa thing over winter break.”

As host for holiday gatherings, Junior School Administrative Assistant Laura Donahue notes that “the week leading up to Thanksgiving includes baking and prepping.” She also says that “this is actually the first year since I've come to Hopkins that I will get to take the whole winter break. When I worked in admissions, I had to come in and do some work. But this year I will probably just relax, maybe catch up with friends.”

Though breaks offer teachers and faculty a time to recharge, some continue their work outside of their office. Front Office Administrative Assistant Karen Silk says “even though the teachers love their students, they are looking forward to turning off a bit when Friday or break comes”

On the other hand, Leite does acknowledge the fact that “Pretty much every year, Mrs. Abraham often ends up spending a majority of our Thanksgiving break reading some redox reactions and grading lab reports that haven’t been taken care of.” The security department also doesn’t take much time off—Burke explains, “We’re still here during Thanksgiving break. My team will get a half day on Wednesday, and then be off Thursday and Friday. So we’re here Monday, Tuesday, and half a Wednesday to ensure safety on campus.”

When teachers finally close their work-related tabs, some plunge into their passion projects and hobbies. Math teacher Dan Gries tries to “take a little bit of time to work on artwork to slowly decompress,” while Silk appreciates the large increments of time for “reading, probably going on some hikes and a couple day trips” that are unrealistic during school weeks.

Whether they’re visiting family, catching up on grading, or simply relaxing, Hopkins faculty are cherishing the chance to pause, just like the students.

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What Faculty and Staff Do Over Break