Meet the new teachers of NHS – 2021

Biology and Honors Biology Teacher

Julie Felichio

What is your favorite thing about teaching? Interacting with the students
How does NHS compare to any past experience? It is early but I am seeing good school spirit, friendly students and staff, dedicated teachers, and a nice blend of personalities and styles.
How long have you been teaching? This is my 36th year.
What are some interesting things you did this summer? Traveled to visit family and friends back north. Had friends and family visit Naples so we got a chance to play tourist here.
What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? Put students first
What are some of your hobbies? Swimming, kayaking, and reading
What is your hometown? Oak Park Illinois
Why did you choose to teach at NHS? Heard great things about the rich traditions, collegial staff members, and great kids.

ELA Inclusion Teacher (9th grade)

Heidi Jinkins

What is your favorite thing about teaching? I do like it when a student finally “gets” something that they have been struggling with. And there is always something new and interesting that happens each day. 

How does NHS compare to any past experience? NHS seems calmer than my past experience.  Yay!

How long have you been teaching? This will be my 6th year teaching. 

What are some interesting things you did this summer? Nothing too interesting as this was the first summer in a while that my family did not take a vacation out of town, unfortunately. 

What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? Patience. I am always striving for more.  

What are some of your hobbies?I love to play Pickleball. If you don’t know what it is or want to learn how to play, just ask!!! I like doing things on or near water and spending time hiking, especially in the mountains

What is your hometown? North Fort Myers, Florida 

Why did you choose to teach at NHS? I have taught in elementary and middle and wanted to teach at the high school level.  Also, I have always heard that it is a great school

Algebra 1A Teacher

Mandy Maiman

What is your favorite thing about teaching? I love getting to know my students and learning about all the things they love to do outside of class.

How does NHS compare to any past experience? That’s a hard question to answer as I’ve just started. I can say that I’ve worked at several independent schools, and so class size there was much lower!

How long have you been teaching? About 12 years

What are some interesting things you did this summer? Hmmm….I’m not really sure I did anything interesting. We moved, so maybe that counts. I spent a lot of time hanging out with my amazing 4 year old daughter, Leora! That’s always interesting to me. 

What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? The relationship we build with our students. Most students don’t come into my room loving math and that’s okay. However, in order for all of us to get through the year in a positive way, it helps to get to know each other and have other things to talk about than just math.

What are some of your hobbies? Before I had a child, I loved to read. I don’t have a lot of time for that right now, but my parent friends tell me I will someday!

What is your hometown? Naples, actually! I grew up here and graduated from Barron. I eventually left to live in Miami and then Philadelphia but returned here to be close to my family through COVID.

Why did you choose to teach at NHS? NHS has a great reputation! I’m happy to be here. 

AICE Marine Science, AP Environmental Science and Critical Thinking Skills Teacher

Kelsey McEachern

What is your favorite thing about teaching? Working with this age group and ‘watching the light bulb turn on inside their heads.’

How does NHS compare to any past experience? I was at Lely High School the past seven years and love that both places have a sense of family amongst the staff and students. I am so excited to be a Golden Eagle once again! I graduated here in ’06.

How long have you been teaching? This will be my 8th year. 

What are some interesting things you did this summer? I spent a lot of time with my son (Emmett 1 yr) and daughter (Peyton 5 yr) and husband on the boat fishing and at the beach. Got away to the Keys for a weekend as well. 

What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? Passion for the content – that should make it fun for you all too!

What are some of your hobbies? Saltwater fishing, being outside, spending time with my friends and family, cooking

What is your hometown? Naples! Born and raised right here.

Why did you choose to teach at NHS? To ‘come home’ to my alma mater and be closer to my daughter who started kindergarten nearby.

ESE Teacher

Laura Pacter

What is your favorite thing about teaching? My favorite thing about teaching is seeing our NHS students grow and learn together each day. It is an honor to be a part of the Naples High School family!

How does NHS compare to any past experience? My past experience is in the fire service, and there are close bonds you make with your brothers and sisters in the fire service. We learned to work together to build trust in each other, and value the skill set we brought to the table. The same team spirit is at NHS, and it is all about fostering trusting relationships in the classroom, and on the fields in afterschool activities from football, to band, and afterschool sports/activities to foster a positive school environment.
How long have you been teaching? Year 8 with CCPS and 2 years at FSW
What are some interesting things you did this summer? We went to Sanibel Island to check out the Bailey Matthews Shell Museum.
What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher?Being supportive of your students every day, and helping students succeed with a mindful approach is important.
What are some of your hobbies? Reading
What is your hometown? Marco Island, FL
Why did you choose to teach at NHS? I love working in the ESE Program with our talented, smart, and kind students every day!

Physical Education and HOPE Teacher

David Tulchinsky

What is your favorite thing about teaching? My favorite thing about teaching is getting to know the kids and helping them. I want them to know that I always have their back and when I was their age – I felt many of my teachers unfortunately didn’t care about me and that’s why I became a teacher. I want to make a difference in someone’s life and help them succeed – If I can do that, we both succeed.

How does NHS compare to any past experience? The second I walked into this school, I felt at home. The administration, teachers, coaches, as well as everyone working in the office has been very kind and helpful. I love seeing the championship banners in the gym and trophies in the hallway – the success of this prestigious school motivates me to work harder each and every day.

How long have you been teaching? I taught many years back where I’m from as a Physical Education substitute, coaching basketball, as well as running my own independent basketball training for kids ages 4-22. I taught physical education last year for the last four months of school and going into my first FULL year of teaching physical education and HOPE at Naples High School.

What are some interesting things you did this summer? I spent a lot of time with my parents, sister and my three beautiful nieces. I am very family orientated, because I come from an old school and traditional European Family. I also got to explore many different cities in Florida like Marco Island, Everglades City, Miami, Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando. 

What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? I believe communication is key in everything. I want to see things from the students’ perspective and understand where they’re coming from. In this day and age with so many mental health issues, I think it’s always important to not only speak, but listen.

What are some of your hobbies? I love being active by playing basketball – it’s a passion of mine, I always say every time I step on the court, it’s magic… I can’t explain it any other way. I like to lift weights at the gym and go on trails, but I also love to watch sports to relax. I am a Knicks, Rangers, Yankees and Eagles fan, but I’m also a Chelsea supporter of the English Premier League and watch every game with my father each weekend.

What is your hometown? I grew up in Brooklyn, New York then New Jersey before moving here in 2019. A lot of my students already have the time of their life making fun of my Brooklyn accent. They ask me to say certain words like, “basketball” – they think they’re funny!

Why did you choose to teach at NHS? Simple… “There are only two kinds of people: Golden Eagles, and those who want to be Golden Eagles.”

ESE Specialist & ESE Inclusion Teacher

Missy Behan

What is your favorite thing about teaching? Helping students

How does NHS compare to any past experience? I was at East Naples Middle School, so I am seeing a lot of my former students. This campus is beautiful and there is great pride in the school. I am impressed by the amount of staff who are alumni.

How long have you been teaching? 10 years

What are some interesting things you did this summer? I visited family in New York and in Dublin, Ireland.

What do you think is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? It is important to have high expectations for all students, be organized and prepared, and have a positive attitude.

What are some of your hobbies?  I volunteer at Guadalupe Center Resale Shop

What is your hometown? Darien, CT

Why did you choose to teach at NHS? NHS has a terrific reputation and my heart is working in high school