Mr. Malossini:
Mr. Max Malossini, one of Springfield’s beloved math teachers, has taught classes such as Algebra II, AP Calculus, and Multivariable Calculus, covering a wide range of students and skill levels. Throughout Mr. Mal’s time at Springfield, he has not only taught math, he has also inspired students to work to the best of their ability. Though the content is challenging, many students have found success thanks to his guidance.
Junior Vega Koliwad is in Mr. Mal’s Calculus AB/BC class, and in a statement to The Chronicle, he said, “Mr. Mal is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. He was so light hearted and funny while still teaching everything in a very good way. He helped me through all of the stuff that went on during the school year, about school or not. He is so much more than a math teacher and this school was lucky to have him for as long as they did.”
Mr. Mal is retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, and to commemorate his hard work and dedication to his students, The Chronicle interviewed him to learn about his journey in teaching and his plans for the future.
Reflections on Teaching
When asked why he started teaching, Mr. Mal shared that “a little bit runs in the family,” and his teaching career started “right after college, [when he] was asked to work as a long term substitute.” He explained that “in Italy, if you have a degree in the subject, you can teach it…so they called [him] for one, … [and he] liked it right away.”
Mr. Mal also shared why he chose to teach high school over college, some highlights being that “you get a much better relationship with students, you know them way better… [and] the range of ages is kind of more fun.” Springfield Township particularly stood out to him because “the administration at the time was really nice and welcoming,” and he reflected how “they seemed to want [him] to be here more than other school districts did.”
Mr. Mal has been teaching for 35 years, and some of his favorite memories come from when he “started to teach AP Calculus” around 2007, and when he “went to the AP reading” to help score AP exams. He admitted that “those two things together were kind of a big step up for [him].”
Plans for the Future
In retirement, Mr. Mal is “looking forward to not having this very intense pace of high school, getting up super early every morning, having a long day, which is mentally tolling.” Instead of teaching eight hours everyday, he is “going to be teaching two college courses, one in the fall and two in the spring at Bryn Mawr college.” He is “looking forward to doing that because it is a good transition to something not as intense, but still involved in mathematics.” In the summer, Mr. Mal goes “back to Italy to visit [his] friends and family.” He shared that “[he likes] to mountain bike and hike, mostly… and from now on, [his] summers will be longer” so he “will stay for a longer time in Italy.”
Mrs. Lyness:
Mrs. Lyness, a Social Studies teacher, who has been out on maternity leave is also moving on after this year. During her time here, she taught Global Studies and United History II, as well as many other courses. She also grew up in Springfield Township and went to school here.
Senior, Marli De Andrade, had much high praise for Mrs. Lyness, saying how she was her “favorite teacher last year.” She admits how she “wasn’t very sure how Global Studies would be” but De Andrade explained that “[Mrs. Lyness] always made class fun and engaging.” It turned out to be her favorite class of the year. De Andrade also adds how Mrs. Lyness was “super easy to talk to” and how “I could talk to her about anything.” De Andrade adds on to with how “[she] always was excited for class because [she] knew that Mrs. Lyness had something fun planned.”
Mr. Winslow has been her long term substitute since her departure.
Ms. Adams:
Ms. Adams is also retiring from Springfield Township. She has been working in our library for the past three years and you can always see her sitting behind the main counter or walking through the book stacks with a smile on her face.
Ms. Adams looks fondly upon the high school library with one her favorite memories being, “when [she] find[s] a book for someone that they really wanted.” In working at Springfield, Ms. Adams has been able to fulfill her passion—“I just love books.” Additionally, she appreciates the Springfield students and notices that the student body continues to get nicer every year. Ms. Adam’s final message to Springfield Township High School is to, “keep that trend going, guys.”
Ms. Koltsoon:
Finally, Ms. Koltsoon has resigned from Springfield Township High School. As an art teacher at Springfield since 2023, she will be leaving the high school and furthering her art elsewhere, as she is currently living in Ireland.
