Teacher Profile: Jason Hiruo –

A NHS Grad Returns To Teach

By Andrew Rote

“I had always been aiming for the Newtown English department,” said Jason Hiruo, a first-year teacher at Newtown High School.

Mr Hiruo teaches English, American Studies, and Writing Through Film. He is a graduate of NHS and is returning after a year of student teaching under Lorrie Arsenian, this year’s assistant principal.

He previously worked at Abbot Tech as a special education counselor, and as an intern at Newtown Middle School.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in American and British Literature from the University of Connecticut, Mr Hiruo went on to complete his masters degree at the University of Bridgeport.

“The reason I chose to come back here is because of the superior achievement in excellence,” Mr Hiruo said.

He added that the staff at NHS is above average and the commitment the teachers have is beyond what he has seen at any other schools.

“I can’t see myself going anywhere else,” he added.

Mr Hiruo recently moved to Brookfield, but had lived in Newtown for over 20 years before that. He feels Newtown is a great town in which to grow up.

“I love to be around the students,” Mr Hiruo said.

That must be true since he spent last spring as the assistant coach of the varsity lacrosse team, and is now serving his third year as assistant music director for the marching band.

“I get to see the different sides of them,” Mr Hiruo said about the students. “I think I possess a very strong feeling for student education.”

“I had the best teacher possible,” he added about student teaching under Mrs Arsenian.

Student teaching prepared Mr Hiruo a great deal. He learned what the English department focuses on, and what the school aims for in the future.

For Mr Hiruo, this is not only a big year for his teaching debut, but also because he is expecting to cut his fifth record in the spring.

He has always had a passion for music, and has been the drummer for two different bands’ records. This is his second appearance with his current band, Playback.

When Mr Hiruo does not have his hands full with school or music, he is writing. He has been working on a children’s novel based on the Japanese internment experience of World War II.

Whether he is writing a book, performing with his band, or teaching NHS students, Mr Hiruo appears to be busy and fulfilling his dream.