This year at Kempsville, there are 24 new teachers. Among them are World History II and U.S. History teacher Mr. Brian Leniniger, who is starting his ninth year of teaching.

During his junior year in high school, Leniniger gained an interest in teaching (partly due to his literature teacher Mr. Norris). He went on to get his undergraduate’s degree at Penn State, where he received his first teaching job. Afterwards, he moved to South Carolina and got his first teaching contract. He taught in South Carolina for eight years and received two masters while teaching; one from Columbia College, a small liberal arts school, and the other one from University of South Carolina.   

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Leniniger is also the senior class sponsor. He likes to stay active and spend as much time as possible outside when he is not working.

Upon his arrival at Kempsville, Mr. Leniniger was impressed by the tightly knit community the teachers have created. He was surprised by how many teachers were graduates of Kempsville or who graduated from another high school in the area.  He was also impressed by the administration, “This school has high expectations for its educators. I do not want to let my department, colleagues, and especially my students down,” said Leniniger.

Leniniger said that he is excited for the day that he walks down the hallways and knows every student’s name. “I want all students to walk away… not necessarily content rich, but a lot more soft-serve savvy,” he stated. “I want them to be able to communicate to each other easily, and pull away from the digital world and take a look at the real one that is right in front of their face.”