Among the flurry of staff changes for next year, the math department will have a new instructional supervisor.

Current IS Suzanne Antink is stepping down, and Radu Toma has been selected to replace her.

Antink says she is hoping to work on her Ph.D., and considers this the main motivation behind her decision to leave.

“I have been IS for 18 years, and loved every second of it,” Antink said. “Still, I feel it’s time for some new leadership — that’s how you build a strong department. We’re a very dynamic department, and we want to keep moving ahead. We were thrilled to have Mr. Toma embrace his new position.”

Toma was one of three teachers interested in the position. According to Antink, the candidates discussed the workload and time commitment involved with being an IS. After reviewing their individual strengths and weaknesses, they decided that Toma was the best candidate for the position.

Antink says she strongly agrees with the decision.

“I think it’s really important that he’s so well accepted,” Antink said. “When people find out [about this], they feel really good about it.”

Applying to be IS was a late minute decision, Toma said.

“I decided two or three days before the deadline [for applications],” Toma said.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Toma said. “Mrs. Antink has done this for a long time and done it well. I was bummed when she didn’t want to do it anymore. My application was contingent on her lack of interest. She’s done a fabulous job.”

According to Antink, the IS is in charge of curriculum, personnel and budget, and is the parent, student, and guidance liaison. The IS also eases the transition to high school.

“We need to improve the relationship with elementary schools,” Antink said. “We need to work on getting the elementary to high school flow. We have a smooth flow from the middle school to the high school, and an ok flow from the elementary school to middle school.”

Toma says he doesn’t plan to implement any major changes.

“Things are getting along well,” Toma said. “I’m not in the position of most administrators, who are brought in to fix things that are working poorly. This is the easy part. The hard part is learning tons of different duties, including parent relationships. It’s a steep learning curve. I’m lucky to have [her] support and mentorship.”

Although being an IS is a time-consuming task, Toma is not worried.

“[The impact on my time] is hard to tell at this stage: it should be much more time-consuming the first year,” Toma said. “[I’m] not too concerned about scheduling my day. I don’t shy away from a heavy-duty schedule. I prefer busy to idle and bored as long as it is time well spent. I don’t mind staying up until midnight to grade tests.”

Toma is known to have math tests graded and the score online within one day, even when there are other demands on his time.

One student recalls taking a test only a few hours before Back to School night. The next day, Toma had the tests scored and recorded, despite the Back to School night activity.

According to Antink, the IS is granted two release periods, though that’s not enough time.

“Still, the sweetest part of the day is walking into your own room,” Antink said. “I use my position to see how others teach. I ‘steal’ ideas from others.”

Toma said that his weaknesses lie in his blunt manner and his communication skills.

“I’ll probably have to work on communication, because I’m more blunt that the average American,” Toma said. “People who know me – my students, my colleagues – accept me, but I can come across as arrogant or rude to those who don’t. I doubt my personality will change. It’s just the things I can say in the classroom with my students, who can hopefully trust me… It’s people I’ve known for months, as opposed to someone I’ve just met and may never see again. ”

Toma says he’s also looking forward to playing a decisive role in the future direction of the math department.

“I’m excited about putting in my two cents about where we’re heading in the future,” Toma said. “I care about what’s happening in math education in general, not just here at Paly, but in America and the world. I want to increase access to advanced lanes and increase the retention rate.”

Antink said, “My advice to Mr. Toma? He’s a wonderful person, he should just be himself. He makes me laugh my shoes off. He’s just so full of joy, and he’s a hard worker.”

“I’m looking forward to working under him,” Antink said.