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Students may not always know what their teachers do for fun outside of school, but once the final bell rings, many RHS educators pursue unique hobbies and passions that reveal creativity, passion and determination beyond the classroom.
Teachers such as Stephanie Torsiello, Stephen Cullis and Steven Coleman prove that learning and growth do not stop when the school days ends.
Stephen Cullis: From Lifelong Reader to Comic Book Author
Now in his 23rd year at RHS, Stephen Cullis has filled many roles throughout his career, including science teacher, vice principal, librarian and, currently, Option II teacher. While each position has brought fulfilling experiences. Cullis has developed another passion outside of school: writing.
Growing up with parents who owned a bookstore, Cullis developed a love for books at an early age.
“I have always been an avid reader and writer,” Cullis said. “I have also always collected comic books.”
Cullis had written a few manuscripts or screenplays, but a comic book was a completely new field for him. “Never a comic book, so it was a good opportunity to learn how to do that,” Cullis said.
His journey into comic book writing began unexpectedly, when a student in his Option II class wanted to create a comic book, and Cullis decided to learn the process alongside him
After his student graduated, Cullis remained fascinated with comic books and even hired an artist to draw his book and used crowdfunding to support publishing costs. His dedication eventually led to a published comic of his own.
“My most recent book is called ‘1869: The First Intercollegiate Football Game,’ which is a nonfiction comic book about the first college football game between Rutgers and Princeton,” Cullis said. “I wanted to tell the story of the first game in a way that has never been done before.”
Cullis’ book was published by Nectar Comics. He continues to write the manuscript for his third work.
Stephanie Torsiello: Going the Distance Beyond the Classroom
RHS English teacher Stephanie Torsiello is known for her work in the classroom, but many students may not know she also completed the New York City Marathon.
Torsiello said preparing for the race required dedication, but a free training app helped simplify the process. “Training for the marathon was actually really fun,” Torsiello said.
At the peak of her training, Torsiello logged 40 miles per week to become marathon ready. “Training gave me an opportunity to explore new places and new trails, spending more time in nature,” Torsiello said.
She said one of the most memorable parts of race day happened before the marathon even began.
“What a lot of people don’t know about the NYC Marathon is that you have to take either the Staten Island Ferry or a pretty long bus ride to the start,” Torsiello said. “It was beautiful. Once we got to the start, there were camps to eat breakfast and prepare; they even had therapy dogs to help us relax.”
When the race started, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” played, while the crowd cheered on the runners. However, support from her family members and inspirational posters from spectators helped motivate her the most.
When she was in high school, Torsiello said she never saw herself as a runner.
“I could barely jog a mile without feeling like I would have a heart attack,” Torsiello said.
Completing the marathon changed her perception of herself.
“I realized that I am far more resilient than I thought,” Torsiello said. “Running also was a perfect outlet for my mental health; it alleviated a lot of stress.”
Steven Coleman: Taking the Stage Outside the Classroom
Steven Coleman inspires students’ creativity in the classroom, but he also expresses that creativity through music. Outside of school, he performs regularly with several bands.
His musical journey started in college, where he played guitar for his band, Dorm Fun. One thing led to the next, and he began performing solo and songwriting.
“I knew I had art skills but didn’t realize how music would occupy my creative space,” Coleman said. “I started writing a lot, and before long, I was in various studios recording songs and albums.”
Coleman said pursuing music professionally was never part of his original plan because he was focused on completing college. However, music gradually became a larger part of his life. Soon, writing songs, performing and booking shows became routine.
Coleman currently plays about two dozen shows a year with two very different bands. One consists of close friends who write and perform original music, appearing everywhere from big festivals to small theaters.
Coleman’s other group takes a different approach. “The shows we perform are mostly to a script, and the band is comprised of industry pros,” Coleman said. “Sometimes the repertoire is pretty hard, but learning new material is always worth it.”
Coleman said he never would have imagined this future for himself while he was in high school. “I’d probably get physically sick thinking about it,” Coleman said.
Looking back, he is still surprised by how music has become a part of his life. “It’s crazy how much you change or do things you didn’t know you were capable of,” Coleman said.
