Furries have continued to express themselves in public as well as in the halls of WJ. However, not many would foresee one of WJ’s own higher-ups coming forward and considering themselves as part of said community. Until now, with social studies teacher Mitchell Joy confirming rumors that have circulated for months. Mitchell Joy is a furry.

Joy felt more comfortable informing the Pitch with this information after seeing the article written about furries and therians in March. However, one of the biggest contributing factors was seeing said furries and therians at WJ.

“I’ve always felt like I was different,” Joy said. “Every now and then I let out a meow. It has always been hard to hide that part of my life. But ever since I’ve been seeing more furries in school, I felt more comfortable being more open.”

The people who spend the most time with Joy at school, his students, have continued to witness his unique approach to life in the classroom. These two parts of his life do not stay separate. In fact, they end up colliding when Joy teaches.

As a whole, students have mixed emotions on Joy’s behavior. The thing they can be sure of, though, is the fact that Joy’s audacity really does astonish them.

“Mr. Joy is just such so…wow,” junior Nila Amin said. “It’s the kind of thing where, if you know you know. I can’t even describe him, you need to have an experience with him. All I can say is wow.”

From Joy’s perspective, however, he reckons his fursona is a refreshing experience in the monotonous school day for students. To him, students’ subtle smiles and snickers reflect a wider trend of their intrigue about his life.

“Some students bring their friends in to hear me meow. I’ve even had a student meow back at me. I was completely shocked. I think they find it cool to have a furry as a teacher.

His colleagues haven’t been so bold as to replicate his favorite onomatopoeia. Most have been indifferent and keep the topic of his being a furry out of conversation. However, there are others who have been less courteous.

“The one time I wore my cat-ear headband in the halls, Mr.Schwartz burst out laughing at me,” Joy said. “But in the end no one controls me. Nobody can tell me what I can and cannot do… Except Mr.Healey…He’s the head of the social studies department.”

Joy’s free-spirit mixed with his unabashed pride in his fursona has continued to guide his outlook on life since having joined the furry community. In the face of those who do not accept him embracing this aspect of his life, Joy has three words. And a sound.

“Back off haters. *Hisses*.”