Sticking to the roots

U.S. History teacher John Sorrentino is a “new” teacher who’s also returning to his roots;  unlike the other new staff members starting fresh at West Essex this year, Sorrentino already has experience working in these halls before. Three years ago, he replaced history teacher Abigail Martin, who was on maternity leave. The year after, he replaced middle school Social Studies teacher Allison Decker, who was also on maternity leave.

“I am just glad and happy that they were happy to have me back and be a full time teacher here now,” Sorrentino said.

Sorrentino describes his students as attentive and hard working. He describes himself as laid back and someone who tends to have fun in the classroom. 

“I actually had some of my juniors when they were in eighth grade,” he said. “It’s kind of cool to see them, you know, going from middle schoolers to now upperclassmen and being somewhat mature.”

Sorrentino has always had an eye for social studies. A true New Jerseyan at heart, he grew up in Livingston and went to Ramapo College where he majored in his specialty, history. Any history class he was not taking was substituted in for education classes. During college, he worked for Planet Honda in advertising. 

He started student teaching in 2015. Before making it to West Essex, Sorrentino taught public speaking and debate at the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, subjects that leverage some of what he uses in his history classes this year. 

“Not everybody’s interested in history all the time, so I try to make things as interesting as I can,” Sorrentino said. “I use some primary sources and I try to use videos where I can.”

Sorrentino also has a very sporty side. Not only is he an avid golfer, but he is trying to become more involved with baseball. He coached baseball for three years in Livingston and plans to get involved in the West Essex sports in the near future. It is something that has always stuck with him; even small things such as playing Xbox taps into that big part of his life. 

After making his third comeback, Sorrentino makes the case for something many students already know: Once a knight, always a knight.

“I’m just happy to be back at West Essex,” he said. “the students are great, the faculty is great and the administration is great.”