When the final bell rings and the hallways are empty, most students assume their teachers head straight home to grade papers or plan lessons. But behind every whiteboard and stack of assignments, Malden High’s teachers have passions and hobbies that reveal a whole new side of them.
Some teachers find their balance through activities like nature, art, music, reading, and fitness, while other teachers find spending their free time with family as the most interesting hobby. English teacher Lucia Musilli finds her weekends occupied by her “two kids and doing things they need to do.”
Similarly, science teacher Martin Berryman spends his weekends often with family and his two sons, the oldest being in Medford High School and the youngest in Medford Junior High, “supporting them and taking them to different events.”
Family plays a huge role in how staff members spend their time outside of their classrooms. “I usually spend time with my husband, and when possible, our best friends who live in Maine. We have three rescue dogs, so our time is usually occupied by them,” history teacher Haley Rizzo explained.
Athletics also play a big role in the lives of many faculty members. In particular, Ewald Charles, Brunelli house principal, plays soccer every Sunday, participating in a club with friends. “I have loved soccer all my life, as early as I can remember, I have been playing soccer,” Charles said.
Spanish teacher, Robert Grinnell, also finds a love for soccer, as he has played since he was four years old. “I have always played soccer; my first job was a soccer referee,” he added. Today, he stays active in both kickball and soccer leagues, often finding community there, especially with friends who share the sport.
Languages are a central passion for both Charles and Grinnell, shaping not only their hobbies but also how they connect with students. “I love learning new languages,” Grinnell said. “I obviously know Spanish, but I am learning Portuguese, and I have a 700-day streak on Duolingo.”
Similarly, Charles explained, “I am always trying to learn a new language. I ask people, ‘How do you say this?’ just so I can understand people more and connect with them.” His own experience moving to the United States at a young age gives him a unique perspective on the challenges students face. “I connect a lot with Brazilian and Hispanic students because of soccer and because I am a foreigner,” he said. For both teachers, the love for language goes beyond personal enrichment but a bridge to understanding and supporting their students.
Berryman grew up surrounded by creativity, with a father who was a music teacher. “Music was always in my house,” he said. Today, he still loves jazz, old-school hip-hop, and especially the Grateful Dead. Many of his hobbies were passed down through family, like his interest in building trains. “Trains were also from my dad because he had model trains growing up,” he explained. “He showed me how to do some things with those.”
A few teachers turn their free time into hands-on projects. Whether it is taking on projects at home, flipping furniture, or building Legos, the patient and focused mindset that is required for these activities is also brought into their classrooms. Flipping furniture is“a bit difficult to do in New England because of the ever-changing weather. I have a few pieces in my house that I’ve refinished on my own. It’s something I would like to do more and become more skilled in,” Rizzo explained.
“If I have free time to focus and not need to think about anything,“I like to spend time building Legos,” mentioned Mussili. An unexpected but meaningful hobby that is not just a pastime but a way to disconnect from stress and the rest of her mind.
Rizzo shared that last year she read “70 books.” This year, she finished number 41. “I’m hoping to at least match what I read last year.” Her dedication to reading not only enhances her own knowledge but also enriches the learning environment for her students. Engaging in hobbies like reading allows teachers to bring a fresh perspective into their teaching, ultimately benefiting everyone in the classroom.
While many students are not the only ones who get caught up in loads of assignments, teachers often have stacks of work. These hobbies and interests highlight something students usually do not get to see: teachers as full people with passions, families, and personal goals. Malden High’s staff live productive and active lives outside of school, showcasing their diverse personalities that shape the skills students learn every day.
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