On Nov. 4, AP English Language and Composition and 10th grade English teacher Tamara Reis informed her students through Google Classroom about her sudden and indefinite absence. Her father, who lives in England, had suffered a severe heart attack, prompting her immediate departure to be by his side. In the months following, AP Capstone teacher Jeanie Griffin and testing administrator Glenn Webb assisted with managing assignments and grading. However, the absence of a dedicated instructor left an impact on students.

“It’s been difficult getting assignments without real-time feedback,” junior Jaelynn Lettsome, a student enrolled in AP Languange, said. “Also, being able to discuss assignments [and] go over notes was good when we had her. But after she was gone, I think some of those skills we were developing may have deteriorated.”
Lettsome’s classmate, junior Hryday Patel, said he also noticed a shift in the classroom environment.
“My learning experience now feels like we are just doing busywork instead of actually learning,” Patel said. “We haven’t done notes or received proper feedback about our papers since she left. This ties into my concerns about the AP exam because it feels like we have to figure out how to pass it on our own instead of receiving the guidance an AP teacher can provide.”
Sophomore Maggie Qin, who takes English II Honors, also noted changes in student-teacher dynamics.
“Mrs. Reis’ absence has definitely affected my learning experience,” Qin said. “We had more systemic learning with Mrs. Block where we just read passages and answered the questions. When Mrs. Reis was still here, the lessons were way more entertaining and interactive.”
After months of uncertainty, West Shore alumnus Joseph Tolle stepped in as Ms. Reis’ replacement on Jan. 24.
“Returning to West Shore as a teacher has been a great experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Tolle said. “Mrs. Nery, who taught my calculus class, told me about the position, and Mrs. Griffin, one of my favorite teachers, recommended me for it which was amazing. It’s been really rewarding to come back and teach some of the same classes I loved as a student.”
When discussing his goals for the semester, Tolle said the need to keep students academically on course is his highest priority.
“They’ve gone without a regular teacher for a while now, so I just want to make sure they’re on track,” Tolle said. “That means making sure they’re prepared and can score high on their AP exams, that tenth graders are ready for FAST testing and that everyone is meeting the standards they need to succeed.”
Since the replacement, Qin said his efforts have not gone unoticed.
“So far, Mr. Tolle has been pretty chill,” Qin said. “The teaching style is similar to that of Mrs. Reis. His grading is a bit strict, but we’ve mostly been reading a new book, and I really like how he hosts discussions after sections to help us understand.”
Despite these adjustments, Qin said she remains concerned about being prepared for the upcoming Florida Assessment of Student Thinking on April 1.
“I do not feel ready for the FAST test,” Qin said. “Since Mrs. Reis was gone in the middle of the year, we have a little learning gap. We also haven’t had much practice for the test.”
Math teacher Ann Nery, who previously had Tolle as a student, said she was confident in his ability to take on the role.
“I knew he was a West Shore graduate, so he already understood the school’s standards and what it’s like to be a student here. That experience alone made him a strong candidate,” Nery said. “I also knew he was majoring in English, so it just seemed like a natural fit. I also taught his sister — they come from a great family. He’s always been a really solid, respectful person, and I knew he’d be a great role model, especially for the boys.”
Nery said that when heard about the open teaching position, she immediately recommended Tolle for the job.
“He was always responsible, respectful and just a genuinely good student,” Nery said. “That’s why as soon as I heard about the opening, I went straight to Mr. Clark and Mr. Webb and told them, ‘If you’re looking for someone, I think he’d be a great candidate.’ And I’m really glad it worked out.”
Now, as a teacher, Tolle said he is adjusting to the transition while ensuring students receive the support they need.
“It’s been great so far,” Griffin said. “He’s incredibly bright, and teaching just seems instinctive and intuitive to him. I think he’s going to be one of the highest-caliber teachers we have on campus. He’s doing a fantastic job.”
Tolle graduated from West Shore in 2017 and then attended the University of Central Florida to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English.
“I’m mostly excited about learning how to teach,” he said. “I don’t have a teaching degree — I have an English degree — so I’m figuring out how to convey ideas in a way that gets students excited about reading and learning.”
Although Tolle is still learning how to be a teacher, Lettsome said she is still hopeful for the future.
“He is nice and seems to be knowledgable,” Lettsome said. “At this point, that’s all I could ask for.”