Photo by Mekhi Wright ’23: Mr. Hogan creating a new assignment for his classes.
By Mekhi Wright ’23
Currently, Derby High School offers extra courses to students who are interested in taking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The additional business and technology classes that are offered here are Banking and Budgeting, Credit and Insurance, Accounting, Media Literacy, Video Production, Wood Tech, and Tech Ed. The fantastic teachers that teach those classes are Richard Abelli, Tom Hogan, and Robert Swierbitowicz.
Mr. Swierbitowicz teaches three business classes. In his Banking and Budgeting class, he teaches different budgeting methods and ways to save your money. He also teaches an accounting class where he teaches ways to file taxes, and if students have a job, he teaches why they lose money from their paychecks and where that money is going. Swierbitowicz says to students who would like to take any of his classes, “I would like to see all grades participate in my financial literacy classes. I absolutely think students who take business classes benefit from it. I know many students have seen some of this material in their homes, and they share those experiences while in class. Others, it may be their first time seeing or hearing anything that has to do with finances/accounting/cwe .” Everyone should really consider taking a business class during their time in school because it can help you understand the financial aspect of our lives
Hogan teaches two technology classes. He teaches Media Literacy and Video Production. In Video Production, students get to be in WRBR, which is like the news for the school. He teaches students how to edit videos, make green screens, and how to write scripts. Hogan says about his classes, “I think curious people who are interested in the world around them would benefit the most from my classes. Certainly, creative types, too, who want to develop skills to take their art/content to the next level.” when asked about why technology is important to learn and teach, Hogan said, “According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics this year, tech jobs continue to grow. Knowing how to work with technology of all sorts is one of the best investments of your time you can make. Not only that, the creative options from the comfort of your home are so numerous and powerful that it’s an exciting time to be alive!” Now with technology becoming more advanced, it would be wise to learn about it.
Abelli teaches Woodshop and Tech Ed. In Woodshop, he teaches students how to build accessories for their homes like a jewelry bin and a wall stand, but in the class, he really teaches how to use the machines in the class like the table saw, band saw, and the radial arm saw. His classes are for any students who are wishing to go into construction or engineering.
Business and Technology classes are some of the most important classes to take because they give students many skills to use after graduation and can set people up with a career. If you are really interested in getting a career in business or technology, I would strongly consider taking these classes.
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