Meet The New Teachers (#2): Ms. Hyman & Mr. Nixon

 Meet the New Teachers: Part 2

By: Angelica Buncio ‘22

This year, Mercy has a lot of new awesome faces on campus. Not just the freshmen, but also many transfer students. Additionally, Mercy has gained a handful of new amazing teachers who we are so lucky to have. On this week’s edition of meet the new teachers, we have Ms. Hyman, who teaches English 2 and Mr. Nixon who teaches Religion! We asked them…

Ms. Hyman

1. Where did you grow up?

“I grew up about 45 minutes north of New York City. I went to college in Maine and then lived in Brooklyn for almost 10 years after graduating, so I'm very much an east coast kid!”

2. Why did you decide to come and teach here at Mercy?

“I decided to teach at Mercy because I love the sisterhood that is fostered here, and I very much believe in the mission of supporting and amplifying women's voices in all spaces. Mercy's critical concerns provide a

lot of inspiration for me as an English teacher when I consider the texts we explore together in class. I try to uphold the critical concerns as values in my own life, so they really piqued my interest in Mercy overall. And would you believe that I'd never been to campus before moving here?? It was an amazing surprise to see how beautiful Mercy is when I arrived in California!!”

3. What is your top goal for this school year?

“My top goal for this year is to be able to recognize all of my students in person and to get their names right on the first try when we're together in hybrid learning, when we're all wearing our masks! Another goal is to figure out a way to reach through the computer screen and give everyone a hug because this has been a tough year, and I know we all miss hugs.”

4. What are some hobbies you have?

“I really love cooking and exploring grocery stores. To me, grocery stores are like libraries. During quarantine I ran a half marathon and have been running a bit here in California, although the hills are a challenge I'm not quite used to! I've been trying to spend a lot of time outside and love hiking the different trails at Mori Point in Pacifica :)”

5. If you were stuck on a deserted island, which another staff member would you want with you and why?

“I would want Mrs. Houle with me on a deserted island because she's my rock! <3”

Mr. Nixon

1. Where did you grow up?

After dotting the U.S. map from the Midwest to the West Coast where I now call the Bay Area home, I will always (and forever) be a southern boy from Birmingham, Al, where I was born and raised. To the disappointment of some, I don’t have the much expected allure of speaking with a Southern accent but that’s okay...maybe I lost it while up in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin but who knows! When I asked a person once to guess where I’m from, they quickly but confidently said MAINE. Hmm...very interesting, indeed. I guess that ought to be a trip is in the cards at some point.  

 

2. Why did you decide to teach at Mercy?

My fiancée, Ms. H., began teaching at Mercy last year and I saw the joy, gladness, and a radiant glow she received from being within the Mercy community. Much of what I knew about Mercy was from accompanying her in that experience and I knew that I desired the same and as it seems I was bit with “the Mercy bug” too! I was drawn by the strong sense of the Mercy sisterhood and about being young women-for-each-other in all things. It’s truly amazing to experience; to witness and also be a part of.  Each young woman is encouraged to find themselves and amplify their voices not only academically but also interiorly and spiritually and, as a religion teacher, I’m always passionate to be a part of that process!   

 

3. What is your top goal for this year? 

My top goal this year is to try to be a source of joy and compassion to others, including to my students and to inspire them to take time to find their own sacred spaces in their own lives that brings them joy and makes them truly come (and) feel alive! Outside of that, as a new teacher, I want to absorb and learn all that I can in this first year.  

 

4. What hobbies do you have? 

Much of my time these days is spent reading, writing, and lesson planning. And in-between all of that, I love succulent gardens, fishing, cooking, and dabbling with playing blues on the harmonica. Also, I enjoy a good (or several) Hallmark movies (Christmas fever yay!)  PS: Ms. H may have an influence on that haha. 

 

5. If you were stuck on a deserted island, which other staff member would you want with you and why?

Of course Ms. H is my partner in crime and there is nothing like an island adventure with your best friend! But I’d also have to say our Religion Dept. It’s a motley team of wisdom matched with unparalleled levels of funny, humor, and LOVE of all things Disney. In a situation of being stuck on a desert island, It’s hard to choose a better crew!