Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2006)
6 September Features Wetzel brings passion for literature to classroom u J aimie L orenzini __________ wait till next year to get my puppy. Was I supposed to say something about my family? Well, I'm not married. I am very close with my mom, dad, brother, and sister, but they live in California. My friends in Portland are like my extended family." Strangest habits: "I crack my knuckles... every one of them." Her alternate universe job: "If I couldn't be a teacher I would have a job that paid me to play with other Staff Reporter To some students, English is nothing but a required course involving strenuous studying and a writer's cramp; to the new student teacher Karin Wetzel, English is a new, exciting adventure. Cooperating teacher: Meagyn Keys College: Lewis & Clark Interests: snow skiing, classical guitar, knitting, reading Why she wanted to become a teacher: "In high school is when I started thinking about teaching. My passion for literature is part of the reason I wanted to teach, and I love working with teenagers. They have such great energy, and... ummm and I feel education is important." Her desired field of teaching: "I'll be teaching English, and I would also like to teach creative writing." College: "I go to Lewis & Clark College in Portland. I chose that one because I love the liberal arts focus of Going to Lewis & Clark College and student teaching is exactly what Karin Wetzel wanted to do. Her passion for literature also drove her to teach because Wetzel believes that education of teenagers is very important. Photo by Cole Fiala the school, and the M.A.T. (Masters of Arts in Teaching) programs’ dedication to social justice. I've got great professors." Family: "No pets.. .but I'm dying to get a puppy, but I'll probably have to Scholl returns to West Linn — M e g a n S t u m p _________________ Staff Reporter Curtis Scholl, new vice principal, has returned to West Linn but this time as a part of the administrative team instead of as a social studies teacher and baseball coach. He plans on making this year a great one by getting involved with many activities. Position: Vice principal Interests: Enjoys being involved with school events, especially baseball Family: Wife, Kellie, to whom he has been married for almost 10 years and has three boys: Taylor, Joe and AJ. They are also expecting another baby. Interesting fact: He is an Elvis fan and not many people know that about him. Past schools: Vice principal at Saint Helens High School, principal at Vemonia High School Best thing about job: He gets to work with many different students, and he likes being a part of the school activities Worst thing about job: Being in charge of discipline and having to call home to parents and coming down on a student. He likes being a part of a positive experience much more. Average day as vice principal: Usually his day changes, but he's talking with different students about many different things, talking with parents, with staff and doing paperwork. For him no day is the same really. "You have a lot of responsibility as the Vice, and most of all, you are responsible for having difficult talks with students, revolving around people's pets. I don't want to be a vet.. .get into the medical stuff, or a dog walker... you'd have to pick up their poop. Ideally, just play with pets. Maybe a chocolate taster on the side." How her alternate job could tie into teaching: "Well, clearly I like to play and have fun because of the dog job. So I think that would work well in the classroom, because we could have fun while we're learning." Her one wish: "Well, my first thought would be to have more hours in the day for more sleep and more fun, but really I wish for everyone to find their passion in life, and to choose to be happy." Her words of advice: "Look at your time in high school as an opportunity to explore your interests, and your strengths. And to take chances in subject areas you don't always feel comfortable with. Remember that it's over before you know it. So enjoy it!" Former student turned teacher returns with excitement m G alley L athrop __________ Staff Reporter To most new teachers, walking through the doors of WLHS this fall was a new experience. However, for Trevor Menne, the new Special Education teacher for ninth and tenth graders and Class of 2000 graduate, it was like returning home. Position: New Educational Resource Center teacher for ninth and tenth graders College attended: Bachelors in Psychology from University of Oregon with a minor in Special Education and Business, Masters in Education from Pacific University Interests: Working out, reading, sports and helping with housework Family: Wife, Rachel, of two years What he enjoys about his job: I have been teaching only two years, but my favorite thing about teaching is that I really enjoy working with students and seeing them grow throughout the year. I get to watch my students grow in three classes: Personal Growth and Development, history and English. The hardest thing about teaching for me right now is that I have to prepare for three very different subjects, which can prove difficult. On returning as a teacher: "I’m very excited to be here, returning to my old high school. I even have met my old teachers, and it’s exciting to get to know them as colleagues." There have been MANY changes that involve cement, wood, nails and anything else that was involved in making a whole new building. In fact, back in 2000, there were only two main buildings. One was called ’the maze.’ It consisted of a one story area, with a sort of zig-zag hallway separating classes. The school was so small, I had to take a shuttle to Bolton Primary for some of my classes. I went to Bolton twice in the morning, and came back for lunch. The only thing I remember the same, is the commons/ cafeteria." Outside of school: I coach boys JV Basketball. I also played on the Varsity team in hi gh school, which was difficult at times, but a great experience. We won state when I was a freshman, and after that we made the State Class of 2000 graduate Trevor Menne has returned to his high school as the Special Education teacher. Menne played on the Varsity basketball team and is now excited to be coaching the JV team. Photo by Cole Fiala tournament every year. I didn't participate in many other activities, because basketball took up most of my time. Will he be a good teacher? I think that a unique thing that will benefit my students is that I have lived in the community and I know it well. I also think I am very approachable and easy to talk to. Kent puts the fun back in biology u J acob G ianuzzi _______, Staff Reporter Former teacher Curt Scholl isback at West Linn as a Vice Principal. A former baseball coach, Scholl is intrested in getting involved in activities and getting to know students around the school. Photo by Cole Fiala the things they've done wrong, or needing to call their parents." R easons for com ing back: Because of the community and education values here. Goals: He also wants all of the students to know that he is working on getting all of our names down, though he might only be able to remember the students by their faces. With experience as a tree surgeon and kayaking teacher, Hector Kent, biology student teacher, brings a wealth of experience from the outdoors into the classroom. Cooperating teacher: Jon Isensee College attending: Lewis & Clark Interests: teaching, kayaking, back country snowboarding and mountain biking. Background: He is coming from a summer kayaking teaching job. Now, he is ready to start into teaching something that is his life. Influenced by: His father Science student teacher Hector Kent is fully prepared to teach biology. A summer kayaking teacher and tree surgeon has given Kent outdoor experiences that he brings into the classroom. Photo by Chris Garfield was involved in the sciences and biology when he was young. "My dad worked with various sciences and I guess he was what first caught my eye." He thinks the fact biology is all around you every second of your life is what interests him. "We can never know everything about it there's always something more to learn." Most recent job: Recently, he worked as a tree surgeon (someone who climbs and trims trees). He also taught aspiring kayakers how to have a good time out on the water. Is he excited: "Most teachers aren't as excited (about what they are teaching) as I am. I really think biology is a part of everyone's life and is important."
