Author/teacher Kevin Vachna
Hot Off the Presses
Kevin Vachna, who graduated from Archbishop Stepinac in 2005 and joined the faculty there two years ago, is the author of a new work of fiction, “Obsolete: A Teacher’s Tale (of tomorrow, today!)” It is available in paperback on Amazon with digital formats to follow shortly.
Prior to coming to Stepinac, Vachna was an English teacher at a public high school in the Bronx for ten years. That experience played a part in the writing of his novel, which is described as a Black Mirror Meets Dead Poet’s Society, “a cautionary tale set in the not-too-distance future where technology is invisibly ingrained in every aspect of life and where crime, disease, and poverty are all but extinct.”
There’s just one problem: the kids are all becoming hyperactive, disconnected screen-addicts. The America Learns Initiative, a federal program under the Department of Restructure, has a solution: The Success Spheres! Championing the mantra, “Do nothing and learn!” this state–of–the–art technology promises to save the failing school system, its students, and teachers, once and for all.
Vachna’s central character is Professor T who is reassigned to one of the worst performing schools after teaching an unauthorized history lesson. “There, unlikely allies and hidden threats lead him to revelations about a sinister conspiracy. What T discovers could threaten to overturn the ALI’s Success Sphere program and the very foundations of society, itself.”
He has also penned a screenplay, “End of the World”, a modern take on the Book of Revelations. He hosts a monthly television film discussion series, “Talking Technophobia in Film”, which airs on Optimum channels 75, 76, and 77 and Verizon channels 34, 35, and 36.
As moderator of The Phoenix, Stepinac’s literary magazine, Vachna has
helped showcase the creative work of student writers and artists. He has also devoted his talents to the Stepinac Theatre, overseeing student stage crews responsible for lighting and sound equipment as well as construction tools and machinery used to mount spring musicals and drama productions. The john deere parts catalog is their reference in knowing the inventory of parts needed for their specific equipment.
And when not inspiring a love of literature and fostering creativity among his students, Vachna is mulling over his next work of fiction, perhaps continuing the Future is Coming theme that informs the pages of “Obsolete”.
