Gianna Cilluffo ‘22 | Abigail Gallo ‘22 | Mia Cabral ‘22
Just a little over 10 years ago, many teachers instructing us today were sitting in our seats learning at the Episcopal Academy as students. The EA community, especially their teachers, inspired these students to return to the school in order to be a role model for current students.
Since 1785, EA has been inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. A few of these leaders have made their way back to EA as teachers. Ryan Klein, Michael Whalen, and Grace Limaye are all graduates of Episcopal who have been welcomed back as faculty members.
Ryan Klein ‘09 is currently a teacher in the math department and assists in coaching the football team. He chose to return to EA after graduating from the first class of the Newtown Square campus in 2009. Klein believes that having been a student at EA himself, he understands the responsibilities and pressures that students face, and says, “I am very conscious of that when developing my lessons and expectations.” Klein is now working with some of the teachers who taught him, such as history teacher Anna McDermott, math teacher Tom Kossuth, and even his advisor, Jim Farrell, Associate Director of Athletics. He states, “Part of my experience at EA was shaped by the teachers and coaches that impacted my time as a student. I chose to work at EA so that I could give back to a community that gave so much to me and my family. I strive to be a positive role model to students, just like my teachers were for me.”
Michael Whalen ‘08, is currently a history teacher and tennis coach here at Episcopal. Similar to Klein, Whalen enjoyed his time here at EA, particularly because of his teachers and coaches. He recalls, “Whereas many kids today have role models who are athletes, actors and other celebrities, my role models were my teachers who were patient with me and cared about me.” They led not only in his decision to return to EA but also had an influence over his teaching style. Having had a student perspective for 13 years, he recalled what he found helpful and most effective as a student, even if that was not how he felt at the time. The transition from a student to teacher perspective took some getting accustomed to and he remembers that it “felt strange calling some of my former teachers by their first name.”
Grace Limaye ‘90 transferred to Episcopal as a junior during the late 80s. She came to EA for a better athletics program and a co-ed environment. She liked EA for its core values and the emphasized importance of nurturing the entire student in mind, body and spirit. After moving back to Pennsylvania from California, EA seemed to be the perfect choice for her children. Limaye states, “Once we learned that our children had been accepted at EA, I began to explore job opportunities at the school. I had been a teacher for many years out in California and wanted to remain in the field.” Limaye knows that children’s lives have changed since her time as a student, with more pressure and stress from college, economic situations, and social media, but EA has been able to adapt in order to help students’ anxiety. “Given the impact that EA’s faculty had on my own development as a scholar and young adult, I knew that I wanted to be part of that educational culture,” she says. Going from student to teacher, Limaye values the connections she makes with her students because of the fond relationships she formed at EA. She states, “EA changed my life—all for the better.”