Mr. Smith Comes to Branford

By Danni Dunlop

This school year at Branford High School we have a new face in our Mathematics Department, Mr. Christopher Smith.

Back when he was in high school, he attended Notre Dame, West Haven for high school and after graduating from there, he attended The College of Holy Cross.

Around the age of 22 or 23 is when he decided that he wanted to become a teacher, he said.

“I like working with people, especially young people (Not too young though) and I had really powerful experiences with teachers especially in high school,” he said. “They made a big impression on me.”

Before switching over to BHS, he was in New Haven teaching at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven for 3 years.

“I was looking for kind of a change in scenery,” Mr. Smith says. “I had done really good work in New Haven but I wanted a different environment with different kids and I guess you could say different opportunities that I couldn’t get in the city.”

Here are BHS, Smith teaches Geometry, Algebra II Block and Pre-Calculus. He teaches in rooms D29B, B23 and B25.

When being asked his favorite aspect of teaching at BHS, he responded “I think how supportive everybody is, everyone is really helpful.”

Which really helps him with being new to the school. “It’s probably one of the biggest things that makes my experience fun,” he said.

Mr. Smith was a swimmer for a long, long time so he tries to swim and work out a lot outside of school.

Also when he is not teaching, he likes to read and keep up with movies.

“I wouldn’t say movie buff,” he said. “But I try to keep aware with what’s going on with the latest movies and see as many as I can.”

Editor's note: This is part of a series on the new faculty members at BHS this school year. Check back for profiles on Ms. Loesche and Ms. Robertson.