There must be something in the water, because this year’s baby boom is not over yet.
English teacher Suzanne Herzman, Chinese teacher Sara Tseng and special education teacher Terra Vitarelli are all expecting and will give birth sometime this spring.
Herzman is six months pregnant and due in April. She revealed the news to her classes the week before winter break.
“I wasn’t planning on telling my classes until the new year,” Herzman said. “But then some brave students congratulated me early, so I decided I had to stop hiding under my baggy clothes.”
Herzman allowed students to reveal the good news to her classes, but she has chosen to not know the baby’s gender. She will be on leave beginning in April and will return in the fall.
Herzman is confident that students will be in good hands when a substitute teacher takes over and said that students have helped her become more excited for the baby.
“Students have definitely made it easier by being sweet and supportive,” Herzman said. “They have made it more of a reality for me, which is exciting.”
Tseng is due in March, and will be having a baby girl. She revealed the news to her classes in October.
Tseng will be leaving in early March for six weeks until the end of April and has made preparations for her leave.
“My students and I have been using Google Docs and Google Groups to keep in contact while I’m gone,” Tseng said. “I should be able to give assignments online so the substitute will only have to supervise.”
Tseng agrees that students have been supportive during this chaotic period.
Vitarelli is also due in the beginning of March and is expecting a baby boy. She will be leaving at the start of February break and will return in the fall.
Vitarelli said her students have expressed ample concern about her leave and replacement.
“Their concerns are legitimate, as change is always difficult to deal with,” Vitarelli said. “Several of them have suggested potential names for the baby and it is neat to see them so invested in what I am experiencing as a new parent.”
Vitarelli said she will miss the students but is excited to introduce to them baby Vitarelli in the fall.
At this point, none of the teachers are aware of who their replacements will be during their leaves.
In addition, special education teacher and JV boys water polo coach Cabot Weaver and his wife welcomed their second child, a baby girl Opal Amelia, into the world on the morning of Jan. 13.