Welcome Mr. Molina to Woodbridge High School

Mr. Molina is Woodbridge High Schools new Family Consumer Science and Culinary teacher. He studied at Kean University and Hudson Community College.

Mr. Molina is Woodbridge High School’s new Family Consumer Science and Culinary teacher. He studied at Kean University and Hudson Community College.

Meaghan Motz, Editor

Mr. Molina is a first-year educator at Woodbridge High School, teaching Family Consumer Science and Culinary. Prior to teaching, he was a chef and assistant director of food services for Chartwells.

 

The Barron Perspective: What is your name?

Mr. Molina: Brian Molina.

 

 BP: What classes do you teach?  

 MM: Family Consumer Science/Culinary.

 

BP: What were you doing prior to teaching?

MM: Chef & Assistant Director of Food Services for Chartwells, which is the foodservice company that provides food for Woodbridge Township School District.

 

BP: What made you want to get involved in education?

MM: I’ve always had interest in education; I was an Early Childhood Major for my first two years of college.

 

BP: How long have you been involved in education?

MM: This is my first year as a teacher.

 

BP: What college did you attend?

MM: Kean University (BA) Hudson County Community College (AAS) in Culinary Arts.

 

BP: What did you study/major?

MM: Political Science.

 

BP: What are your first impressions of WHS?

MM: I’ve been part of WHS for a while, so I have met many of the administration throughout the years.  I was the Chef at WHS for a little over 3 years before receiving a promotion with Chartwells.  However I did train the new lead Mercedes, so WHS remains in good hands.

 

BP: Are you involved in any extracurriculars for WHS?

MM: At the moment no, but would like to form a Culinary Club & I would not mind an opportunity to coach Football & Baseball.  I have coached Varsity football at my Alma Mater Hudson Catholic in the past and currently coach baseball in Hopelawn.

 

BP: How do you feel about your first year at WHS being on remote learning so far?

MM: It is a challenge, just as if we were in a classroom setting.  Being a new teacher, I have to learn to adapt to any situation.  I currently teach remotely in the classroom, so the students have a feel of the surroundings.

 

BP: What were some challenges you have faced with the new style of teaching?

MM: The main thing for me is engaging the students; on the computer, the challenge is that our cooking is very limited.  Students are home alone and most are not allowed to cook without an adult present.  As a Chef, I have always had a hands-on approach to teaching cooks and staff, “Lead by Example” I am a big believer in that motto.  I want to continue that approach with my students, I want them all to learn, I want them to be their own critic on what they produce in the classroom.

 

BP: What are you looking forward to this school year? 

MM: I’m looking forward to having the students back in the building at some point.  Also to keep learning as a first-year teacher.

 

BP: Did you ever anticipate your first year teaching at WHS would play out like this?

MM: No, I don’t think anyone would anticipate their first year as a teacher would be behind a computer screen teaching lessons.

 

BP: Anything else you would like to add?

MM: I have over 15 years of experience as a Chef, working in restaurants, country clubs, hotels, corporate catering, and education settings.  Dr. Lottmann presented the opportunity to teach at WHS, which got my wheels turning, and saw it as a great fit to make the transition into teaching a field that I know so well.