Beyond the formula: Jordan Orlewicz Reshapes the Idea of Learning

 Most people think that going to Physics at seven in the morning is a daunting task, but students with Mr. Orlewicz, better known as Mr. Jay, would disagree wholeheartedly. In Building 12, a bustling, lively class full of engaged and involved students takes place everyday. Mr. Jay, the beloved physics teacher teaches standard, honors, and AP Physics C classes, which is an AP Physics C class, breaking down scientific ideas and grasping the attention of students who want to continue their scientific career after high school, and those who do not.

“He’s really good at teaching because he likes to teach,” Emily Secret, senior, in Jay’s AP Physics C class said.

Secret mentioned how they would like to pursue a job in the forensic science field, listing just some of the jobs that interest them.

“Either a forensic scientist, so working in crime labs, an eye doctor or an aerospace engineer,” Secret said.

They continued to talk about how Jay has helped on that journey.

“He takes so much time out of his life to come and help you succeed and do good in his class. And he just cares about you. That’s nice,” Secret said.

Another senior in Jay’s AP Physics  C class, Audrey Choate, mentioned their passion for the subject.

“I have a lot of interest in physics… I might major in physics, or I might go into electrical or computer engineering. I find the way the world works to be very interesting, and I very much enjoy seeing the expression of our universe and mathematical form … as an autistic person, one of my main special interests is, always, has always been, science,” Choate said.

When Jay’s way of teaching was mentioned, they spoke on how he really challenges his students, they said…

“It’s very unorthodox, but in a good way. He forces you to kind of try to figure things out yourself. I think that really fosters critical thinking; that’s really needed in science and engineering,” Choate said.

Jada Joy, junior, in Jay’s standard physics class went on to talk about how he’s impacted her views on physics.

“He’s inspired me to be creative, because with physics, I feel like there’s a wide range of what you can do,” Joy said.

Despite not wanting to pursue a career in the physics field in the future, Joy still expressed how Jay’s teaching style makes learning comfortable. 

“He breaks everything down really nicely and he makes sure we understand what we’re learning before we move on. And he’s really considerate about the pace we work at,” Joy said.

Avery Lobel, a junior in Physics Honors, when asked about what made the class so enjoyable said, “Definitely the teacher. Physics itself, it’s kind of a love-hate relationship… but then Mr. Jay works with us until we really understand it,” they said, “He’s very enthusiastic. He’s super passionate about what he’s doing.”

Jay has been a teacher at Oviedo High School since 2020, and has made a great impact on his past and present students, and the way they view education. To Jay, the education style of the teacher is very important to the learning process.

 “I think, the way I do things, the way that I thought education was, it changes everything. So that moment in time of that transition that happens every single year, with multiple students is by far my number one favorite thing of being an educator,” Jay said. 

He expressed his love for making lasting memories with his past and present students, “Last year, my sixth period class, they threw a birthday party for me, and that meant a lot, because it again established, or re-established, the type of education that I want to bring, that collaborative nature, transforming away from a teacher and more into a mentor.”

The “king” of the Physics Department

Dwelling within the doors of the science department is one of the most relaxed, down-to-earth, and realest teachers on the campus premises, according to his students. Even to those unaware of his name, the signature Afro, circular specs, and distinctive facial hair is a famous staple of the halls of building twelve. Obviously, the figure being alluded to must be Dior King-Aris! 

King-Aris has been teaching within the walls of Oviedo High School for about five years now, but his personal passion for the occupation has lasted for longer. 

“I have been teaching as an act for about ten years,” King said. “Either through internships, or volunteering, or even at something like a science camp.” 

Ever since King was in high school, he has had an inkling to be an instructor. That inkling would eventually develop into a passion that is detectable by each and every student within his class. 

Isabella Casteneda and Evan Colmenero are two juniors within King’s first period this year, and they recognize the uniqueness that their physics teacher possesses. 

“The interesting stories he relates about physics, like from his college experiences and how he took so many AP classes…really helps us understand,” Casteneda said. “He’s very interactive when we ask him a question too…I think he has given me a better love for science.” 

Casteneda admits they never had a liking towards science, but they think that King could truly make that change.

Colmenero also believes King has made their academic life easier, though for different reasons. “I like the atmosphere in his room,” Colmenero said. “I feel like he puts time and effort into making everyone feel comfortable…he’s always talking to students and making people feel received.” 

King’s classroom is warm and comfortable, a place students suggest they rejoice getting to be in. Both the light from the ceiling tiles and the students is clear when they speak of him. According to King’s students, the great, and abstract light within the center of the room makes the place an incredibly calming and peaceful environment for learning the ins and outs of physical science. A “den of zen” according to a passer-by.

“It feels like a really welcoming space,” said Colmenero.

But Colmenero and Casteneda are just two of the students who King has loved to teach. Another student under the tutorship of King is student Brendan Rauch. Rauch is a junior here at Oviedo High School, and has King also as their first period teacher, thus fulfilling this year’s science credit. But that credit is sure to come with incredible memories. 

“I didn’t really care about physics,” Rauch says. “Since taking his class, I have come to care more about it… and he makes the class fun.” 

Rauch also comments on how easy of an environment King makes their physics class. 

“He feels a lot more relaxed than other teachers,” Rauch says. “The workload he assigns is a lot more manageable and helpful than some other classes I’ve had.” 

Rauch believes the basin of humor King keeps around also makes the class so much easier on them, and most students that take their classes. 

“He has been a great teacher, and he makes the class feel much less boring because he is so funny…Mr. King is the funniest teacher I’ve ever had.”

It is evident King has a devotion to each student who enters and exits his physics classroom, and it shows from the testimonials of each student. Between the humor, the environment, and the faithfulness towards the institution of education, King has made the physics classroom one of the best periods to attend, as they have described. That care is most clearly displayed in King’s favorite part of the job: “my favorite part is probably all of the students!” 

Capp-tain of Physics

Physics teacher Chris Capp is a very well-known teacher at Oviedo High School because of his popularity among the students. Although the class is difficult, many students believe that he makes the course worth it.

“He brings a lot of energy to the class and overall, he tries his best to help us understand physics,” said junior Morgan Wortham. Wortham isn’t alone in their view of Capp, as many other students love the class. One such student is senior William Parkin. “He’s a very, very dedicated and skilled teacher,” Parkin said.

In 12 years of teaching, Capp has had many students, never struggling to have a genuine connection with each and every one of them. “My favorite part of teaching is forming connections with students, ” Capp said.

Some teachers don’t enjoy the school they work at, due to toxic environments or poor treatment, but Capp has never felt such feelings about Oviedo. 

“The administration always has the teachers’ backs,” Capp said. “They’ve let us teach, and it just feels like a family when you’re here, that everybody seems to like each other and gets along and have good conversations.” 

Something that many students struggle with in school is feeling as though they are being taught by a robot merely repeating what it’s coded to say, rather than an actual person. 

“[Capp] does make a pretty good effort, which I feel like a lot of teachers should do.” Wortham said. 

 Many things must come together to form a truly enjoyable class in High School, and Capp brings all of those things and more to the table.

The experiments are another part of Capp’s class that everyone enjoys. Experiments are a big part of any science class, especially physics. They help students truly understand what they’re learning. Physics is an especially hard course, however, Capp has his instruction down to a science. 

“I like to do a little bit of instruction in the beginning,” Capp said. “And then I let them kind of figure out stuff in the labs so they can see how it works.”