Ms. Zoe Athanasopoulos: bringing health expertise to the high school

Entering the 2026-2027 school year, the WPS community has welcomed Zoe Athanasopoulos, a former sport prodigy coming from Hopedale, Massachusetts, who is now teaching health at the high school. Athanasopoulos  brings her experience in education, and her love of sports, to the position. Athanasopoulos is excited to begin her first full-time teaching position and hopes to become a field hockey coach in the future. She previously played field hockey, indoor track, and lacrosse.

Mrs. Athansopoulos worked in Worcester as a substitute teacher at Midland Street School. Currently she is pursuing her masters degree in  health at Cambridge College.

“I was teaching in Worcester short-term and long-term studying for health. And then I was a paraprofessional at Midland Street School in Worcester, Mass.,“ she said”. 

Athanasopoulos had heard positive things about the Wellesley community which led her to apply for a job at the high school. As a former three-sport athlete, she had also met athletes from Wellesley while growing up. Her love of sports and health inspired her to become a health teacher. She was also influenced by her mother, who teaches third grade, and her grandfather, who was a coach. 

“Growing up around sports and always being active and being healthy. My mom is also a teacher. She's a third grade teacher. And I grew up watching her and I also grew up watching my grandfather coach.”

One thing Athanasopoulos appreciates about the high school is how welcoming the school community has been. 

“ Every student walks in and they'll say good morning or they'll say goodbye. Everyone collaborates really well and even with the staff the communication is really great,” Athanasapolous said.

According to Athanasopoulos, the other health teachers have been supportive and have helped her feel prepared for her new role “I could go to them for anything, and they're always there to help.” She also said, “They need to provide me with the information that I need, so I do feel very prepared because of them.”

As a new teacher, Athanasopoulos has also learned important lessons along the way. She explained that during her first lesson, she spoke too quickly because she was nervous and she felt rushed. 

Since then, she has worked on slowing down, staying calm, and giving students more time to respond. She also creates classroom expectations with student input, allowing each class to help decide what makes a positive learning environment.

 As she had stated  “I just talked a little too fast and I felt really rushed. So I think just knowing to slow down and give time for the students to respond, so just setting everything and, you know”.

Outside of school, Athanasopoulos enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching shows, and listening to music.

“I'm a big Tyler the Creator fan as well.  I was supposed to go to his concert and then my tickets got sold,” Athanasopoulos said.

Students have really enjoyed her style of teaching. Haley Van Looy, ’29, said, “My favorite thing about the class is really just how she handles things, because she never really yells at us.”

As she continues her first year at WHS, Athanasopoulos is adjusting to the school schedule and building connections with students and staff. With her passion for health, experience in sports, and willingness to learn as a teacher, she is looking forward to becoming a part of the Wellesley High School community.