Ms. Simunovich started teaching in 2017 at Pascack Valley High School. The next year, she moved to New Milford before finally settling at RD in the 2023–24 school year. She describes teaching here as “a wonderful and life-changing experience” and a “dream job.”
This year, she teaches Algebra 1 and is filling in for Ms. Clausi’s pre-calculus classes while she is on maternity leave. Though Algebra is her favorite to teach, she “loves Geometry too, which I (Ms. Simunovich) have taught before, and pre-Calc.”
In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Simunovich is also the class advisor to the current sophomores.
“I was approached by Mr. Pepe the year before the Class of 2028 came to the school. He informed me of the open position of class advisor and asked me if I wanted to fill it. Of course, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I’m not athletic, and so I couldn’t coach, so being a class advisor is the best way that I can connect with students.”
Ms. Simunovich has several hobbies and passions. Those who know her are aware of her love for the musician Taylor Swift.
“My favorite album she’s done is Folklore. My favorite song is the 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well,’ which is on the Red (Taylor’s Version) album.”
She also has a dog, Basil, who is a pitbull-boxer mix. Though pitbulls have a reputation for being nasty, Basil is very sweet and harmless.
Ms. Simunovich is an avid reader.
“I never really enjoyed reading, but during the pandemic there wasn’t much else to do. Since then, I’ve continued the habit.”
She particularly enjoys historical fiction and thrillers, describing Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom as “a great book for high schoolers to read which teaches great life lessons.”
Finally, we know that Ms. Simunovich’s former students often visit her regularly. We asked Ms. Simunovich how she became so liked as a teacher and popular.
“I come at teaching from a human perspective. I try to make connections with every single kid I teach because then they are more engaged in the material. I’m willing to listen and talk about anything students have to say.”
To show how much students at RD like Ms. Simunovich, we asked some of her former students for their thoughts on her.
Sophomore Sinan Sarioglu said, “Ms. Simunovich was very nice and taught math very well. I don’t like math, but last year I definitely participated the most out of all my math years. She is very nice and my favorite math teacher.”
10th grader George Schnider said, “She is a really kind person who jokes around with her students. Her class was very enjoyable.”
