Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:21:27 -0700WeeblyMon, 30 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-meteorologist-dylan-robichaud                                                    By Hampton Herald Staff
Mr. Dylan Robichaud is a Meteorologist for WMAR-2 News.  He sat down for an interview with the Hampton Herald Staff to talk about his career.

Why does weather fascinate you?
It changes so quickly and I love things that keep me interested.

What is your favorite type of weather?
I love snow, it is just so beautiful.

What inspired you to become a meteorologist? 
I remember in 4th and 5th grade; I loved the snow and was glued to the weather channel.
 
Are you a meteorologist that chases weather or are you on TV?
I used to be the person that chases storms and now I report the weather.

Did you study weather in college?
I started off in journalism.
 
What degrees do you have?
 I have two—a degree in journalism and a degree in meteorology.
 
Where did you go to college to become a meteorologist?
 Lyndon state, in Vermont.  I also took online classes through Mississippi State.
 
How long did you have to go to school for?
Four years.
 
Do you still have to learn new things or take new classes? 
You need to take a new set of classes every four years.
 
What was the application process like for your job?
I have actually never once applied for a job.  All of my jobs I got from Youtube.  I put up a reel of me doing the weather and then a station manager would call me, which is really how it is done now.
 
Do you report from the studio or live in other places? 
Both 
 
Is your job dangerous?
It used to be, not so much now.
 
How long have you been a meteorologist for?
 10 years
 
Is it scary going on live?
Depending on the weather.  If there is going to be bad weather, it can be scary, but if it’s like today, it’s not really scary.
 
How does it feel knowing so many people are watching you?
I actually like it.  I like public speaking.  I feel like if no one was watching me, it wouldn’t be as fun.
 
What was the most dangerous weather you’ve reported on?
Probably Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston in 2018.  That was probably the scariest thing I had to report on.
 
What tools or technology do you use?
We use satellites that are in outer space, we use doppler radars, which are situated near airports, barometers, and rain gauges.
 
How do you prepare for your job each day?
I look at lots of data.  I also make the graphics, so that is the artistic part of my job.
 
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Probably the TV part.  I like public speaking.  It’s a form of presenting.  I like getting to get out there and present every day.
 
Is it difficult to act happy on TV?
It can be hard—sometimes life hits—and you still gotta put on a smile.  No matter what the day brings, you have to be happy.
 
What is the worst part of your job?
Feedback from viewers; some people can be very mean.  Sometimes people really like you but also you have people who hate you.  But you just kill them with kindness.  It really works.
 
Are there any people that don't go away and keep being mean in the comments? If so, what do you do?
The block button works nicely.
 
What is something that would surprise people about your job?
We don’t have a script we have to make it up as we go.
 
Have you ever made a mistake?  What did you do?
I make mistakes every day.  The important thing is to keep going and to not draw attention to it.  You have to learn from your mistakes.  We learned more from your losses than from your victories.  We have to go back and see where we can fix what went wrong.
 
Is your job fun?
Yes, it is fun.  Sometimes if we don’t have anything going on, it can get a bit boring.
 
How many times do you report each day?
3 times—6,7, and 11 o’clock.
 
How long are your broadcasts?
It varies.  Usually between two and three minutes.  You have to cram everything in.  You have to be quick with it.
 
Is it hard trying to get people not to change the channel?
Yeah, that why we put the weather in the middle of the show.
 
What was it like winning an Emmy?
Honestly it was one of the coolest moments of my career, I think they gave it to me because I went into a wildfire and reported from a wildfire.
 
What kind of skills do you need to be a meteorologist?
In terms of schooling, you need math skills, and I’m not good at math.  You also need presentation skills and the ability to talk to people.  I would tell people to work on their presentation skills.  Take an acting or theater class because that’s a lot of what the  job is.
 
What advice would you give to someone looking to get a job like yours?
 Focus more on digital than on tv.
 
Do you have to move around a lot?
Yes, if you want to make money, you do have to move a lot.
 
Where have you worked?
I have worked in Louisiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Oregon, and Maryland.
 
What is your favorite place you’ve worked?
I like working here because I can go down to BWI and get on a plane to Boston within an hour, go to Chicago, it’s kind of like a centralized area and in Oregon it took FOREVER to get there.
 
Do you ever get recognized from being on TV?
Mostly by old ladies in Costco.
 
Is there anything else in the news that you would like to do besides the weather?
I think doing sports would be cool.
 
If you weren't a meteorologist, what would you be?
A pilot 

Do you have any pets?
No, someday I will.
 
What's your favorite food?
Shepherd's pie.
 
What other hobbies do you have?
Basketball and music.  I am learning to play the guitar.

The Hampton Herald Staff wants to thank Mr. Robichaud for meeting them for an interview and sharing his time and expertise.

]]>Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-brooke-towle-from-the-ronald-mcdonald-house​                                                                By The Hampton Herald Staff
 
The Hampton Herald Newspaper staff interviewed Ms. Brooke Towle, the Community Relations Manager at The Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland.  They had the opportunity to ask her about RMHC, her job there, and the upcoming Red Shoe Shuffle Fundraiser.
 
Why is it called The Ronald McDonald House?
When the first Ronald McDonald House was created, we partnered with McDonalds and he was like our mascot.
 
How old is RMHC?
Our RMHC is relatively new, so it’s only like 5 years old, but we have an older one that was made in the ‘80s
 
How many Ronald McDonald Houses are there?
There are about 250 around the world.
 
How many people can stay there?
We can fit 55 families, but some families have different amounts of people in them.
 
How many floors are there?
There are six floors.
 
What happens if there isn’t enough room?
That happens more often than we’d like.  There are a lot of hotels in Baltimore and our families can stay there at a discount.
 
Is there an age limit for staying?
Yes. You can stay there throughout being 21, but we have had older people come over.
 
Do you know anyone who has stayed at a Ronald McDonald House?
Some of my coworkers have stayed there, and it impacted them so much that they decided to work there for the rest of their lives.
 
Who makes the food?  Do you have the same food all the time or does it change?
So, for some meals in the morning we do like “grab and go” like ramen or bagels, but for dinner we have volunteers make food every single night, and we try to have different things.
 
What types of things do volunteers do?
We have volunteers that make food every day, we have some volunteers who clean, and we also have some volunteers who help at our front desk.  Volunteers also help plan and run our events.
 
What is the magic room?
When kids and their siblings come over, they get to go into the magic room and do a space mission, and at the end they get a super cool toy!
 
Why do you have a bus?
We added the bus so we could take the families to and from the house to the hospital.
 
Are there any ambulances or medical staff at the house in case anyone has an accident?
We don’t have any medical staff, but we are really close to the hospitals in case anyone has an emergency.
 
Why are there rocks by the elevators?
They really are just inspiring messages for families when they are waiting in the elevator.
 
What inspired the giant heart on the roof?
The giant heart on the roof was made because sometimes kids had to stay at the hospital and their families stay here, and the heart was made so kids could look at the heart and say, ‘ooh look that’s where mom and dad are!
 
Were you open during COVID?
Yes, we were open during COVID.  We didn’t have as many people though because lots of surgeries were rescheduled until after COVID.
 
 
Where does the Red Shoe Shuffle take place?
It takes place at The Ronald McDonald House, so the start and finish are right outside our doors.
 
How many shuffles have there been?
This is the 14th Red Shoe Shuffle!
 
Who can participate?
Anybody can participate in the shuffle.  We even have babies in strollers who come!
 
Why does everyone wear striped socks?
If everyone wears red and white at the Shuffle, it looks like a sea of red and white.  Ronald McDonald also wears stiped socks too.
 
How many people can participate?
We are going to cap it at 3,100 people.  We just think that is a reasonable amount to stop registrations.
 
Do other Ronald McDonald Houses do the Red Shoe Shuffle too?
Some of them do 5ks.  Some of them don’t call it “The Red Shoe Shuffle,” but they still do it.
 
How much does it cost to participate?
It costs $65 for adults, and I think it’s either $55 or $45 for kids.
 
What is the fundraising goal this year?
Our goal is $500,000, so half a million dollars.
 
What made you pick $500,000 for the fundraising goal?
I'm not the mastermind behind it, but I know we were beating it by so much that we kept raising it and now we did 450,000 dollars!
 
Does the fundraising goal change?
When we first started it wasn't a lot but when we have been working longer the fundraising goal has been getting bigger and bigger.
 
How many people are on the biggest team?
There’s over a 100 on the biggest team!
 
What does the money go toward?
The money goes toward everything that happens in the building.  We provide diner, for the water, it keeps the lights on.
 
What do you do to prepare for the Shuffle?
We basically start preparing when the last Shuffle ends.  We started working on this one in 2024.  We have people who do things like help plan the course and design the shirts.
 
What other events does RMHC have besides the shuffle?
In September we have a golf tournament, and we also have a Gala in November.
 
What is your job at RMHC?
I am the Community Relations Manager.  I do a lot of different things.  I help a lot with things in our community, like when businesses want to volunteer with us.  At the Shuffle, I help organize the volunteers.
 
How long have you worked there?
I’ve worked there for about two years.
 
What inspired you to work there?
A long time ago I played lacrosse, and my lacrosse coach volunteered there, and that’s what got me thinking about it, and when I graduated, I saw they were hiring, and I was like ‘oh I know them!’ and I started working there.
 
What’s your favorite part of working there?
Honestly, interacting with all the families, and putting a smile on peoples’ faces.
 
 
Do you have a least favorite thing about your job?
Sometimes I have to answer a lot of emails, and I don't like it. I like to be out and about all day, and that’s why I like the red shoe shuffle
 
How many people work at RMHC?
There are about 30 people that work there.
 
What days do you work?
I work Monday through Friday 9:00-5:00.
 
What is your favorite event?
My favorite event is The Red Shoe Shuffle for sure!
 
Do you get to participate in the Shuffle?
No, I don’t get to participate because I am working, but I am there all day.
 
What is something challenging about your job?
It can be sad watching families go through really hard things, but it’s nice to be there just to make their day a little bit better.
 
Do you work on your own or do you work with a team?
I have a team of people I work with.  We have small groups of people and work together a lot.  It’s like little subgroups.

]]>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mr-greg-carpenter                                                              by The Hampton Herald Staff
​Greg Carpenter Interview
Mr. Greg Carpenter is the radio host of the Morning Show on 101.9.  Our staff sat down with Mr. Carpenter to ask some questions about his career.
 
How long have you been a radio host?
Since 1988.
 
What inspired you to get into radio?
My aunt and my uncle were in radio back in the 1900s and they got me interested in it.  There’s a radio station today called Z 104.  Back when I was young it was called B-104.  It was just a hobby; I was just always interested in it. And I just thought, "How can I do this and get paid?”
 
How did you choose to work at 101.9?
I used to work at Mix 106.5.  That’s the same company.  They are together.  They asked me when I was on Mix to come across the hall to 101.9.  They asked me, and I said “Sure.”
 
Have you had any other jobs besides the radio?
I used to work at Valley View Farms.  In the winter it’s Christmas, in the summer it’s bushes etc.
 
What do you like most about your job?
I love music.  That’s the big thing.  I absolutely love music. I also love talking to and with people.  It’s fun to say something on the radio and have someone say it back to me.
 
What is your least favorite part of your job?
Waking up at 4:30 in the morning.  It’s tough to stay quiet in the house while everyone is sleeping.
 
How long is your workday?
I get there at 5:15 a.m. and leave at 2:30 p.m.
 
What is a typical day like?
Sleep ‘til 4:00am get there at 5:00am then 5:45-9:00 am morning show next work with promotion and work on the show in the afternoon.
 
What is your favorite part about your job?
The on-air show.  I’m on the radio from 5:30ish to 9:00 in the morning.  When you guys are getting ready for school, that’s when I’m on and that’s my favorite time.
 
How do you decide what prizes to give away?
A lot of events come to town—they come to us and ask can you help promote or our events.  We say no if they don’t really fit.  We do say no, but the ones who fit our radio station.
 
How do endorsements work?
Commercials.  Sometimes, a commercial company will come to me and say can you talk about my company.   We do endorsements.  I have Serta pro painters.
 
Did you make any friends at work?
One of my friends helped me get the job and then as I’ve gotten the job, I’ve made a ton of friends.  We all get along really well.  Since I’ve worked there, I’ve made lots of friends.
 
What are some cool or interesting experiences you’ve had because of work?
The best ones are I get to be backstage at concerts.  There’s a band called Hootie and the Blow fish.  Before their concert, I got to play basketball with him.
 
Where did you go to college?
Towson University.  Back then it was called Towson State University.
 
Do you ever get stage fright?
Not really.  I like to talk in front of people.  You get a little nervous, but I’ve never had it so I couldn’t go in front of people.
 
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into radio hosting?
Get to know everyone.  And I’ll say this to everybody.  The more people you know, the better you’ll be in your career.  Whatever you choose. The more people you know on the playground, the more you have fun.  The more people you get to know the more people can help you do your job.  So, the short answer is get to know as many people as you can.
 
Do you have a favorite interview you’ve done?
Yes, do you watch American Idol?  A couple of years ago Lionel Richie was a judge.  He came through the radio station, and he was the coolest, nicest man.
 
If you weren’t a radio host, what would you be doing?
I don’t know.  That’s a great question.  I’m a big believer in doing what makes you happy.  My first thought was boats.  Boats make me happy.  So, something with boats.
 
Has your job changed over the years?
Technology.  When I first started, we played things called records.  Then it changed from vinyl to tapes.  Then we played a whole bunch of tapes.  Then after tapes, it went to CDs.  Then after, everything went on the computer.  Now there’s touch screens and buttons everywhere.
 
Would you like to do any other types of broadcasting?
I would love to be an Oriole play by play broadcaster.  I love baseball and I love the Orioles, so that would be fun.
 
Do you enjoy your job?
Yes. I like it because I like talking to listeners.  We do something “College of Knowledge.” At 7:30, we do trivia.  There are 3 questions, and we see if the listeners get it right.
 
What skills do you need to be a radio host?
Good communication skills.  You have to learn how to tell a story.  Stories always have a beginning, middle, and an end.  The second thing is learning the technology to work the show.
 
Do you have anyone in particular who you’d like to interview?
No one in particular.  The people I like to interview are people who give good answers.
 
Have you interviewed any celebrities?
I have interviewed Ed Sheeran.  I didn’t interview Sabrina Carpenter.  She came by the station, and I got to meet her. 
 
What is the best part of working with a co-host?
The best part about working with a co-host is you can have a conversation and bounce things off of each other.  You can bring something up and they answer it.  If you mess up, they’ll help you fix your mess up.  It’s nice to have a partner.  I say dumb things all the time, if I say things that aren’t the smartest, she can help me get back to track.
 
Are there any challenges to working in radio?
One of the bad parts about radio is sometimes there are layoffs.
 
Since 101.9 talks about a lot of charities, do you have a favorite?
Yes, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.  They help sick kids and do a great job in the community.  Komen, which deals with certain types of cancer.   They are my two big charities.
 
What’s the most played song right now?
Most played right now is Teddy Swims “Lose Control.” So there are official rotations of music.  Powers get played every 7 hours and the other ones get played every 90 minutes.
 
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
Playing with my dog, Dexter or my 5 kids or gardening. I like being outside, and I also really like boats.
 
Do you have any other pets?
I also have two cats—Riley and Leo--and we have two fish—Phil and Brian
 
 
Where is your favorite place to go?
Oriole Park.  I like to be out on the bay.  And the beach.
 
What’s your dream vacation?
Disney Cruise.  If you have a chance to go on a Disney Cruise, you have to go.
 
Do you ever travel for work?
Yes, we do travel.  A lot times it’s for contesting.  We’ll broadcast live from an area that’s a big prize.  Live from Disney or Disney Cruise.  We’ve broadcast from the Disney Cruise ship before.  We’ve broadcast live from sandals in the Caribbean.
 
What happens if you are sick?
We do have fill-in people.  If I get sick, there will be someone to fill in for them so we can have two people on.  Sometimes you’re in the middle of the show and you don’t feel good.  Sometimes you play just a long song.  The person I’m on with we’ll just take over.
 
Do you get merch from your job?
Yup definitely, we get a lot of stuff, mostly sweatshirts and t-shirts.
 
If there was a quote you could share with the world, what would it be?
Be nice to each other and get off your phone.
 
 

]]>Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mrs-zikorus                                                             By The Hampton Herald Staff

Mrs. Emily Zikorus, the Director of Development for The Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland (RMHC), met with our staff to talk about her job at RMHC and the annual 5k The Red Shoe Shuffle. 

Read the interview below.
Who started the Ronald McDonald house?
The Ronald McDonald house was started by Dr. Audrey Evans.
 
What is your least favorite part of your job?
My least favorite part of my job is when a family has sad news.
 
What is the Red Shoe Shuffle?
The red shoe shuffle is a 5k that raises money for the Ronald McDonald house.
 
How much money did you raise last year?
450,000 dollars
 
How do you become a part of the Red Shoe Crew?
Every June we have an application process, and you can nominate yourself or someone else can and if you get picked then you can choose if you want to be on the Red Shoe Crew.
 
Why did you become part of the Ronald McDonald house? 
The first job I had I just didn’t feel fulfilled, so I joined.
 
Do you participate in the Red Shoe Shuffle?
I personally don’t because I have to work.
 
Are there any other ones besides the one in Baltimore?  Do they all look the same?
Across this country there is one. There is more in other places.  No, they all look different. Ours has 65 rooms and the one in Cincinnati has 188 rooms.
           
Do you like the kids there?
Yes, I do. They are all good. I love them all. I help with kids that are first born to kids that are 21 years old. But I love them all.
 
Why is it called the Ronald McDonald House?
Because when the first house was started, we worked closely with a McDonalds and then we decided to call it the Ronald McDonald House.
 
How long does it take to plan?
All year. The shuffle is on Sunday and when it is done, we start planning for next year.
 
How did the Red Shoe Shuffle get its name?
I think it was just a creative name that we created. It started in Baltimore, but there are more Ronald McDonald Houses that do it now.
 
Does it cost money to stay there?
It does not cost any money to stay there.
 
Who is the patient who traveled the farthest?
We have people come from all over the world, but I guess it would be Australia.
 
How do you choose who gets to stay there?
We work with the hospital social workers.  They recommend people who need to stay there. We also have a tier system based on diagnosis.
 
What do you do for the House?
I am the Director of Development, so I raise money for the house.
 
Do you ever travel for work?
Not usually, but sometimes.  When we built our new house I traveled a lot to visit other Ronald McDonald Houses.
 
Is it stressful?
Sometimes, because it was small and we could not serve everyone, so we had to make it bigger.
 
What is your favorite part of your job?
I really like that every day, when I get home, I feel like I did good.
 
How many families are currently staying there?
Fifty-five families are currently staying with us.
 
Who runs the House in Maryland?
Our president is Sandy Pagnotti.
 
Who else works at the Ronald McDonald House?
Well, Ms. Patek’s mom, as well as 30 other people.  We have 16 part time employees and 14 full-time employees.
 
What hospitals do the families go to?
We service all the Baltimore-area hospitals.  The two biggest ones are Johns Hopkins and Kennedy Krieger.
 
What do volunteers do there?
All different things.  Individuals can come and help at the front desk or help in the kitchen.  You can also help clean or make things for the cubbies.
 
Last year, how much money did the Red Shoe Shuffle raise?
Last year, it raised about $400,000.

How much money are you hoping to raise this year?
This year our goal is $450,000.
 
How many people participate in the Red Show Shuffle?
Our goal is 3,000.  Right now, we have 2,734 registered participants.
 
What else happens at the race?
The president gives a speech, the sponsors have tables, we have food, and there are activities for kids to do.
 
Does Ronald McDonald come to the race?
Yes, Ronald McDonald does come to the shuffle.

What is the Red Shoe Crew?
The red shoe crew is a group for young workers starting their careers.

What kinds of things does the Ronald McDonald House do besides provide a place for families to stay?
We provide 3 meals a day, transportation to get to the Ronald McDonald house, and we also provide a place of comfort for families.
 
 *Update*
Ms. Patek, the Hampton Herald moderator and member of The Red Shoe Crew is ecstatic to announce that this year the Red Shoe Shuffle sold out with 3,000 participants and raised $500,000!

]]>Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mr-shawn-stepner                                                                   By The Hampton Herald Staff
The Hampton Herald staff had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Stepner, a sports reporter for WMAR, to talk about his job.  Read their interview below.
 
 Have you ever been to the super bowl?
  I have never gotten the chance, but if we beat the Chiefs I would have gone.
 
How did you end up on WMAR?      
They had an opening, and they hired me.
 
Have you ever made a mistake on air? What did you do to fix it?
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and especially because it’s on air, but the trick is to improve upon mistakes and to just keep going on.
 
What is your favorite part of your job?
Meeting new people and sharing their stories.
 
What is the hardest part of your job?
It is probably coming up with a specific story every day. I have to have a really good story and have to plan ahead sometimes.
 
Why is hockey your favorite sport?
I got into it when I was young, and my dad was Canadian so he taught me how to play, but  I really like all sports.
 
What do you like to do outside of sports reporting?
I like watching sports, which is great because it is part of my job, and spending time with my kids. I have 3 girls and I like doing family stuff.
 
What qualities does a good reporter need to have?
A good reporter needs to be able to get up in front of a screen and not to get frustrated if you make a mistake live.
 
How often do you report on air?
I report on air every day—5 days a week.
 
Do you have to memorize a script?
I do not need to memorize the script as long as what I say and the order I say it makes sense.
 
What was your dream job as a kid?
My dream job as a kid was this--to be a reporter.  When I was about 10 or 11 I got interested in it.
 
Do you have a favorite story you’ve reported on?
The Orioles because I also love baseball.
 
How crucial do you think the loss of Felix Bautista is? 
It's a big loss but they were able to overcome the loss last season and get a new closer.
 
Do you think Bob Babb and Adam Schlenoff and the Johns Hopkins Baseball team have a shot at winning the national championship?
They always have a shot, but Adam did really good job at finding players and they could definitely win this year.

]]>Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mr-conwayThe Hampton Herald Staff interviewed Hampton's principal, Mr. Conway.

Mr. Conway Interview

Why kind of qualities should a person have to be principal?
I think they should be kind.  They should have integrity.  I think they should be hardworking, and I think they should be caring, and I think they should have good humor.


What do you like to do outside of school?
First and foremost I like to spend time with my family and my kids.  I love to fish and I love to play golf and I love to watch sports.

What’s your favorite color?
Green. 


What’s your favorite movie?
Saving Private Ryan

What other schools have you worked at?
Owings mills and that was it.  I worked there for 20 years.

If you weren’t a teacher what job would you have?
I would say finance because I would be rich, but that wouldn’t make me happy.  I’d be a police officer.

Do you have any other goals besides being a principal?
Yes, I do.  I would like to be superintendent one day, but you can put being a good dad as my most important job.

Why do you like Hampton?
I love the families and the kids.  I think you guys are really cool and really funny.  I also love the staff.  The staff have been really kind and welcoming.  The staff, the parents, and the kids have all been really great.

What do you think of Hampton?
It’s a welcoming and friendly place.  I think Hampton is a place where people care about each other.

When is your birthday?
March 29, 1980.

Did someone ask you to come here?
The job was open and I was offered it.  I did want to apply, it was my decision.  To have a new experience.  I think it’s helpful in life to have new experiences.
What is your favorite sport?
To play or to watch?  I love soccer.  Playing soccer is my favorite.  Football is my favorite sport to watch.

Did you ever have another job?
Yes, I’ve done lots of jobs.  I was a delivery person, I was a waiter, I was a restaurant manager, I stocked shelves at Gap.  I was a newspaper boy, and I was a dishwasher.  I was also a bus driver for a daycare in the summer.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be an architect actually.

What is your favorite animal and why?
A dog because I love my two dogs.

How many kids do you have?
Three–two girls and a boy.

What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti and meatballs.  I like chicken with vinegar peppers.  It’s something my wife makes.  I also like any kind of meat.  I like Fogo de Chao.

Why did you leave your old school?
It was time for a change; to try something new.  I want you guys to take risks, right?  So, I think it’s important if I’m going to tell you guys to take risks then I should take risks.

What’s your favorite baseball team?
The Orioles

Do you like online games?
I do, I’m not a big gamer dad, I like poker and other games.

Do you have any siblings?
I do–one brother and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

What do you like to do?
We like to visit museums, we like to visit different states.  We love to go to National Parks.  That’s out favorite thing.  For as much as my life loves National Parks, she won’t go camping.
 
(Ms. Patek said she agreed with Mr. Conway’s wife).

How long have you been teaching?
This is my 21st year in education.  Once your a teacher, you’re always a teacher.

Is it hard being a principal?
Sometimes yes and sometimes no.  I think any job can be hard, but it’s about persevering. 

What is your favorite place to go?
My favorite place of all time is the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.

Do you like the teachers here?
I do, very much.  You’re teachers are very nice.

Where have you been on vacation?
Different places.  So, we like to go places around the world.  We went to Europe last summer, been to the Islands, and we’ve been to different states.  I like to travel.

What is your favorite subject?
My favorite subject is math because it is challenging but over math is history. I love reading history and learning about the past.

What is your favorite book?
Freakonomics.  A kid’s book is Great Expectations.  A picture book is “Oh the Places You’ll Go” and I also like The Giving Tree.  The tree is kind.  I want you guys to be like the tree…to a certain degree.  I want you to be kind, but I don’t want you to be taken advantage of.

What pets do you have?  What are their names?
My two dogs are Duke and Duchess.

Do your kids play sports?
My daughter plays soccer and basketball, my son wrestles and plays baseball, and my oldest daughter plays field hockey and runs track.

Can you do the moonwalk?
Not good, but at least I tried, but I was voted best dancer in high school.

Do you have other pets?
Yes, I have a cat along with my 2 dogs.

Do you have a favorite singer?
The Lumineers.

What is your favorite type of music?
I like everything.  I don’t have a favorite. If I like a song, I like a song.  I do like acoustic music.

What is your favorite thing to draw?
I would say like landscape type drawing.  My dad did the painting in my office.

Why did you start the ambassadors program?
Because I think it is important to recognize students not just for grades.  Recognizing people for being good people is important too.

What is your favorite song?
At last by Etta James.

What is your favorite season?
Fall.  I like when you can wear a hoodie but not a jacket.

What is your favorite dessert?
Ice cream.

What sports did you play growing up?
I played soccer.  I was an all-state soccer player.  I went to college to play soccer.  I played basketball, but I was really bad at it.  I pitched in baseball.  I was really good at wrestling until I got hurt.  I played tennis.  I played football, but I was too small.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Fogo de Chao.

What do you want for Christmas
A day of peace and quiet.  I want all my kids to try their hardest and to do their best.

What school did you go to?
I went to Scranton High School.  It’s in Scranton Pennsylvania.

What was your best test score?
One hundred percent.  If you study hard, you can get 100s.   If I can do it, all of you can do it.  I guarantee you most of you are smarter than me.  If you want to be successful in life…you’re going to have lots of smart people.  It’s the person who works the hardest and wants it the most that will be the most successful.

What college did you go to?
 I went to Bloomsburg and then to Towson University.

Where have you lived?
I live in Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Cockeysville, White Marsh, Scranton, and Bloomsburg.

What is your favorite store?
Dicks Sporting Goods 

Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Connerton because he didn’t give homework. He didn’t believe in homework 

Do you like Michael Jackson?
Yes, I like him.

Why did you start music on fridays?
Because it is good to interact with the students


]]>Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mrs-conradOur Hampton Herald Staff interviewed Mrs. Conrad, one of Hampton’s assistant principals.

Why did you want to become a teacher?
I love working with students and helping them as much as i can.I also like helping teachers there fun.I like being helpful.

What other job would you have liked to have?
I would have liked to have been a nurse or a famous singer.  Not quite a Taylor, maybe like a Stevic Nicks.

What qualities are important to have as an assistant principal?
I think you have to be patient, flexible, organized, and have a positive attitude.

Why do you like Hampton? What's your favorite thing about it?
 I love to get to know everybody and the positivity!

What did you think about it?
I love it!  It’s a really large and thriving school community.  I feel a sense of excitement here every day.  I feel like there’s always something to go on.

What school/schools did you work at before Hampton?
The very first school I taught at was Graceland Park Elementary.  Then I was at Owings Mills Elementary School.  I was there from 1996 until June of 2023.

Why did you leave your  school?
I was ready for a change and to get to know a new school and a new community and I had the opportunity to come with with Mr. Conway, and I really like learning and working with him.

Did you have any other jobs?
In college, I was a waitress.

What’s your favorite movie?
The Princess Bride.

How does it feel to be an assistant principal? 
It is really busy and there is so much stuff going on, so that is why it is always busy. I feel really proud and I love the kids and teacher and I love being a member of the school family.

What did you want to be when you were younger?
I always wanted to be a teacher.  When I was in college, I thought for a little bit about changing to nursing.

What is your favorite thing about Hampton?
My favorite thing about it is the people.  The positive energy.  The excitement.   Meeting new people.  I’ve enjoyed that the most.

What’s your favorite animal?
I really love dogs and specifically we have a dog named Wendell who is one of my favorite things in the whole world.  He’s a good buddy.

What else were you before an assistant principal?
I was a reading resource teacher for a while.  I was a STAT teacher, which is a like a staff development teacher.

How do you feel about being an assistant principal at Hampton?
I feel very proud to be an assistant principal at Hampton.  This is a great community to work with and for.  I am very happy to say that I am part of this school now.

Do you have any other goals?
I’d like to become a principal.  I’d like that opportunity.  I’ve learned a lot from lots of great principals around me, especially Mr. Conway.  I’d like to take those things I learned and make a difference at another school too.

What does your family like to do?
We like to go camping.  I have three children that I like to spend time with.  I like to go hiking.  I like to swim in my pool, take Wendell for long walks.  I also like to play golf.  

What’s your favorite color: 
green 

When’s your birthday? How old are you?
December 28th.  I’m 52.

What’s your favorite sport?
Basketball.  My girls have all played basketball for most of their lives and my husband is a coach.  And rugby.  My husband and son both played rugby, and now I’m a fan too.

If you could have another animal, what would it be?
I would like to have a horse.

What do you like to do when you travel?
We definitely like to sight see.

What’s your favorite food?
I’m a really picky eater.  I do like pizza, fajitas.  I love a good grilled cheese sandwich.

Why do you like working with Mr. Conway?
Mr. Conway is a really terrific principal, but he is also a really great friend.  He has a a really great heart.  He’s great to work with, to learn from, and to have fun with, and he’s just a great person.

How long have you been a teacher?
This is my 30th year being an educator.

What’s your favorite book?
A favorite book I’ve read is Bridge to Terabithia.

Did you play any sports when you were younger?
I really didn’t play sports as a child.  I did ride horses for a while, but when I started by tenth grade year of high school, I played lacrosse until I fractured my ankle.

What was your favorite subject?
ELA.  I have always enjoyed reading and writing.  I’m not a math person.

Who is your favorite singer?
I do like Taylor Swift, I listen to pop, country, a little bit of everything.

Is it hard being an assistant principal?
It’s busy to be an assistant principal.  Sometimes you want to do all of the things during the day.  Some days just get really full with lots of different tasks.  I don’t know if I want to say it’s hard.  It can be demanding and it can be hard to try to do everything when you only have a certain amount of time.


What’s your favorite bus?
I don’t have a favorite bus.





 If you could teach any grade what would it be?
I taught second grade and fifth grade.  I might like to try first grade.  I wouldn’t have the energy for it today.  I also really love seeing kindergartners, but I don’t know if I have the energy for that.


Do you like it when you're out of school?
I do, I like spending time with my family and friends.  It’s nice to have a little bit of a break to relax and recharge.

If you could play any Instrument what would it be?
Probably the flute. I played the flute when I was in fifth grade and a year or two in middle school, but I didn’t continue it.

Who’s your favorite artist?
Taylor swift and stevie nicks.

Do you like rappers?
Yeah, I do.

Do you have any kids?
I have three kids–two daughters and a son.  My oldest daughter is graduating from law school in December.  She went to University of Virginia.  My son is graduating from West Point.  My youngest daughter graduated from college and is a nurse at shock trauma.  They are all out of school and adulting.

​]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mrs-stock                                                             by Quinn K & Dane A


How long have you been a teacher?

“I have been a teacher for 9 years.”


What grades have you taught?

“I have only taught third grade.”


What do you like about teaching at Hampton?

“Teaching at Hampton is amazing, because the students are kind and work hard. I also love that there are so many extra curricular opportunities for students.”


Where did you go to college?

“I went to Stevenson University and spent 5 years there, getting my bachelors and Teacher’s certificate.”


What degree do you have?

“I have a bachelor's degree”


How long have you been Hampton?

“This is my second year at Hampton.”


Have you taught anywhere else?

“I taught in Montgomery County for my first seven years at JoAnn Leleck Elementary School”


Have you ever had another job besides teaching, if so, what was it?

“During the summers, when I was younger, I was a counselor at a summer camp called “Barrie camp in Montgomery. When I worked there, I was working with five year olds which is different”


What do you like about teaching third graders?

“My favorite part about teaching third graders is that they are kind, funny, and enthusiastic. Also, I like teaching third graders because you can see so much growth throughout your time teaching them”

Do you have any teachers who have inspired you?

“My aunt used to be a teacher and she retired. My biggest inspiration though, was my second grade teacher.”


What is some advice that you would give to someone who wants to be a teacher?

“Some advice I would give a future teacher would be to enjoy the journey, and try to find the great times and stick with it.”


What are some things that you wish other people knew about teachers/Teaching?

“I wish people knew how much time and energy teachers give their students. I wish people knew how much effort we give.”


What is something you wish you knew when you started teaching?

“I wish I knew better management skills. Specifically, I wish I knew how far positive praise would go compared to punishments.”


Do you have a favorite subject to teach and why do you like teaching that subject?

“My favorite subject to teach is math.”


What was your favorite subject in school when you were a kid?

“When I was a kid, my favorite thing to do in school was read to self. It’s not really a subject, but I just really liked the unending times I got to read.”


What are some other things you like to do outside of teaching?
Outside of teaching, I really like to cook, garden, read, and rock climb. I also like listening to Taylor Swift Music.”

​
]]>Mon, 08 May 2023 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interview-with-mrs-allen-special-educator                                                                    By Rachel CJ

Interviewer: How long have you been a teacher?

Mrs.Allen: 33 years

Interviewer: How long have you been at Hampton?

Msr.Allen: I’ve been at Hampton for 13 years.

Interviewer: What grades have you taught?

Mrs.Allen: 2nd-8th grade.

Interviewer: Why did you become a teacher?

Mrs.Allen: Because my younger sister didn’t know how to read and my parents asked me to teach her how to read and I was like hey I’m good at this and then became a teacher.

Interviewer: Did you have a teacher who inspired you?

Mrs.Allen: My high school 10th grade teacher, Mr. Heller inspired me.

Interviewer:Where did you go to college?

Mrs.Allen: I started out in a place called S.U.N.Y at Brockport and then I went to Loyola coll. MD.

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite subject to teach?

Mrs.Allen: Reading, I just enjoy seeing a light bulb go off and the excitement. It’s hard to see the frustration but it’s very rewarding in the end.

]]>Mon, 02 May 2022 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.thehamptonherald.com/interviews/interviews-with-mr-carp-mr-morton                                                                         By The Hampton Herald Staff

In celebration of BCPS college day, The Hampton Herald Staff members interviewed two Hampton teachers about their college experiences.

Mr. Carp, fifth-grade teacher

STAFF: What college did you go to? 
MR. CARP: I went to York College in Pennsylvania.

STAFF: What did you major in?  
MR. CARP: I majored in Education, Elementary Education. 

STAFF: Do you have any advice for people going into college? 
MR. CARP: Low cost, high value. Because I think that people spend too much money on college, but my advice would be to go cheaper and get more value from it. 

STAFF: What is your favorite job that you have done?
MR. CARP: My favorite job... teaching. I have done it for so long so somewhere between teaching and camp counselor. 

STAFF: Have you ever changed careers? 
MR. CARP: I have worked for the Baltimore Sun Newspaper, a landscaping crew, and I have been a camp counselor for other jobs. 

STAFF: Have you ever wanted to stop teaching and do something else? 
MR. CARP: Yes, I have wanted to do something involved with financial work. 

STAFF: Have you ever taught at a different school? 
MR. CARP: Yes, I have taught at Essex Elementary. 

STAFF: Is this job hard or easy?
MR. CARP: Hard. Yes, teaching is hard. 

STAFF: What did you want to be in Elementary School? 
MR. CARP: I wanted to be an Archeologist, I wanted to study the past. 

STAFF: Did you enjoy your college?
MR. CARP: I enjoyed my college very much. 

STAFF: Do you have any family or friends that work the same job? 
MR. CARP: My aunt was a teacher. 

STAFF: Did you have any inspiration going into college and into working?
MR. CARP: Definitely my mom and aunt inspired me. 

STAFF: Do you have any dream shoes?
MR. CARP: Dream shoes? Uh no…

Mr. Morton, first-grade teacher

Staff: What college did you go to?
Mr. Morton University of Virginia and Gouc
Staff: What was your favorite thing about college?
Mr. Morton: My favorite thing about college was meeting new people.
Staff: Did you have friends that we’re becoming teachers
Mr. Morton: Had lots of them
Staff: Did you ever switch jobs?
Mr. Morton: Yes, I’ve switched jobs.
Staff: Which college did you like best?
Mr. Morton: I like them both for different reasons.  I was learning different things at each college.
Staff: What are some of your hobbies?
Mr. Morton: I like gardening and I like to do triathlons




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