Wakefield High hosts many teachers and various different interesting classes. Many teachers go above and beyond for their students, fellow teachers and community. One such recognized teacher is Alexander Monterosso: he is oftentimes making Wakefield traditions even more unforgettable. From wearing golden wreaths of laurel to pirate hats, he’s earned quite a reputation among students and teachers.
Monterosso is a relatively new teacher who started in early 2024 and mainly teaches history courses along with a few electives. Recently, he has gone beyond just teaching, participating in Wakefield’s latest spirit week. He donned different costumes, making a big splash. Not only did he wear these costumes, but he also played into the roles, changing his voice to make the characters come to life.
Joseph Grant, Monterosso’s mentor, fondly remembers the day Monterosso dressed as a Greek god for Spirit Week.
“Watching people stop and take pictures with him in the hallway really [showed] his dedication, which I had already seen, but that day encapsulated it,” Grant said. “I want him to know that I think he has what it takes to be a teacher-of-the-year.”
Monterosso has focused on being a positive presence in his classroom, impacting his students’ high school careers. Estefany “Stef” Hernandez-Galguera, one of his students and a Wakefield junior, highlights his uplifting attitude.
“It has been very nice getting to know [Monterosso], especially [because he is] a teacher who is very supportive,” Hernandez-Galguera said. “He is very supportive of everything, which is nice to see in a school setting.”
“He cracks a lot of jokes,” Efimova said. “We will be talking about specific things in sociology, and he will crack a joke, nothing too serious and that makes [the class] fun and entertaining.”
Being a teacher requires a lot of effort. It can be a test of patience, kindness and overall character. Kasey Wilkins, another teacher at Wakefield, shares a classroom with him. She has seen how Monterosso has risen to every challenge teaching has thrown at him, admiring his impact on Wakefield students and staff.
“He is himself, if there is a manifestation of being yourself, of being unapologetically yourself, it is him,” Wilkins said. “He is himself, and there is no word in the English dictionary to give to him because he is such a unique, genuine and kind person.”
