For Mr. Rubin, the journey from Tele student to Tele teacher has been a full-circle experience rooted in community, connection, and a deep sense of belonging. A member of the Class of 2013, Mr. Rubin first walked through the school’s doors in 2009 as a freshman, and he’s been part of the TELE family in one form or another ever since.
“My favorite teacher was Mr. Michely,” he recalls. “He really made a difference for me.” But academics weren’t the only part of Mr. Rubin’s high school life. He joined the soccer team in his freshman year under Coach Tavarez, and the camaraderie and commitment of the team shaped much of his high school experience.
Mr. Rubin’s decision to return to Telecom was more than professional, it was personal. His mother was a teacher at the school, and his brother taught here for a time as well. “I had strong connections here,” he explains. “The relationships I built with my teachers really mattered. Networking played a huge role in where I am today.”
Before securing his current teaching role, Mr. Rubin worked as a substitute teacher across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Though those experiences were valuable, HSTAT always felt like home. “This school has a unique sense of community,” he says. “It’s not like anywhere else.”
He remembers seeing familiar faces in the hallways, like Ms. Veliz, who was a student when he was, and now a fellow teacher. Teachers like Mr. Tavarez, Ms. Karvunis, Ms. Torres, and Mr. Lipari also played a pivotal role in his growth. “They pushed me to improve, to be better,” he reflects. “That stuck with me.”
One of the biggest challenges he faced when trying to return as a full-time teacher was the competition. “There were a lot of hoops to jump through, demos, exams, interviews,” he says. “It took weeks. But knowing the students, the building, and the assessment process gave me an edge.”
Looking back, Mr. Rubin sees a clear shift in the school culture. “When I was a student, everything felt academic-focused; it was about passing the tests,” he says. “Now, the vibe is different. There’s a stronger focus on the students as people. The relationships are real.”
Now teaching at the same school where he once sat in the desks, Mr. Rubin is part of the very fabric that helped shape him. “It feels good to be back,” he says. “I know this place. I know these kids. And I want to be the kind of teacher who makes the difference that was once made for me.”
