8
September
Features
First teacher hired: Lothamer brings creativity to Web Design
u K yle H irth ______________
Contributing Writer
Wind Lothamer, new
technology teacher, shows,
according to those who hired
him, tremendous promise.
He will be teaching web
design and flash animation,
and is extremely passionate
about these subjects.
"The best thing about
web design is that it is such
a creative field and allows
for so much individual
expression. It can be a
lot like a creative writing
class or an art class. I enjoy
watching the creative process
in action and seeing the end
results. It's really amazing,"
Lothamer said.
Lothamer will be replacing
Richard Reynolds, who took
a break from teaching in
order to spend a year living
in Hawaii while his wife
completes her intership there
and to pursue other interests.
Like Reynolds, Lothamer
combines two different
areas of interest. He double
majored in history and social
Wind Lotham er, web design
and flash animation teacher, has
a double major in history and
social science and completed his
graduate studies in Education at
Portland State University.
Photo by Cole Fiala
West Linn resident joins
Special Education staff
m E mmalie C ox ____________
Staff Reporter
Former social worker and
water sports lover Nadine
Newrones joined the Special
Education Department
because she loves the West
Linn school setting and how
conducive it is to her family
life.
Position: Special
Education teaching assistant
College attended:
California State University of
Long Beach
Interests: Water sports,
music, movies, singing and
outdoor activities
Family: Daughter, Claire,
6, and son, Connor, 11
Previous jobs: Worked as
a social worker and in the
mental health profession.
Also ran a preschool out of
her home, and worked as a
clown in college.
Education: Bachelor of
Arts in Social Work
Why West Linn: "I work
here because I am a West
Linn resident and it is closest
to my home. I was lucky
to be assigned here. I love
working with children of all
ages, but thought working
with the high school ages
would be fun."
Why teach: "I wanted to
teach because I have never
worked in a school setting
before. I thought it would
be great to have the same
schedule as my children and
also enjoy summers with
them."
First day: "My first day
of working here was very
confusing. Students were
coming up to me and asking
where classes were, but I was
just as clueless as them! It
was like being a freshman all
over again."
Over the summer: During
the summer, she and her
family went camping at Lake
Billy Chinook in Central
Oregon. They also went to
Disneyland and spent some
time in California visiting
her side of the family. They
stayed at Newport Coast
Villas that overlooked the
ocean in Newport Beach,
Calif.
Hobbies: Really enjoys the
outdoors and water sports.
Likes going to movies, and
listening to music. Music is a
big part of her life especially
because she sings. Sang in a
science as an undergraduate
at Portland State University.
He then completed his
graduate studies in education
at PSU. He student-taught at
Merlo Station High School
in Beaverton, an alternative
school that services the entire
Beaverton School District.
Lothamer was influenced
to teach technology related
classes by the increasing role
of computers in society.
"Computers are the
new literacy. If you do
not know how to interact
with computers and the
internet, you are at a distinct
disadvantage in today's
economy and society. I have
always felt that technology
is an integral element to
education; now I get to teach
it exclusively," Lothamer
said.
Lothamer was extremely
attracted to the West Linn
Wilsonville School District
because he feels it is
progressive and proactive.
Lothamer also says he knew
WLHS would be a "perfect
fit" because the staff and
admistration really advocate
student centered learning.
"It was clear (from his
interviews) that Wind
had an incredible love for
students and technology. He
is a young, bright and very
creative person. I think he
will be a great role model
for students as well as a
great teacher," Kim Noah,
principal, said.
Outside of school, Lo
thamer enjoys hiking and
camping with his wife, Leslie,
and his dog, Zig-Zag. Lo
thamer also likes listening to
a wide variety of music, from
Miles Davis and Thelonius
Monk while at home, to Nir
vana and Stone Temple Pilots
while driving his ’96 Saturn
SL. In addition, Jack Johnson
is Lothamer’s favorite current
artist.
Lothamer claims the
most interesting thing he has
ever done was visit Peru last
summer.
"It is a beautiful country
with some incredible history,
but the living conditions that
you see there for some of the
people are just shocking. It
can really affect your sense of
perspective," Lothamer said.
Eager to start the school
year, the thing he looks for
ward to most is simply work
ing . "It is important (for me)
to play a vital role in the com
munity and to have a job that
I can feel good about. Teach
ing addresses (this) concern,"
Lothamer said.
Ares joins technology department
u HlLLl ClAVARELLO__________
Staff Reporter
A self-proclaimed "theatre
buff," Jon Ares has been
behind the scenes of the
theatre program at West Linn
for 12 years. He now joins the
staff full time as Technology
Assistant to Angie
Hammond, Information
Technology Specialist.
Position: Technology
Assistant and Technical
Theatre Advisor
College attended:
University of Washington
and Clackamas Community
College
Interests: Theatre,
Technology and Film
His passion for theatre:
"I have been involved in
theatre since I was about two.
I actually have a degree in
it. I started teaching theatre
and Stagecraft because I
like the fact that I can bring
my professional theatre
experience to students who
have an interest in it. I also
like that I can help bring
technical theatre to students
who would otherwise not get
the opportunity in the high
school."
High school: "IVe taken
part in dozens and dozens
of plays. Theatre was a large
part of my high school
Jon Ares, Technology Assistant,
has been involved in the theatre
program at West Linn for many
years.
Photo by Cole Fiala
experience. I was involved in
directing, acting and writing
throughout."
Why West Linn: "I really
like the students and staff
here. I feel that I can interact
with more students here than
at my last school (He taught
at the West Linn-Wilsonville
Art Tech High School last
year). Also with the new
theater, I feel my professional
experience can help more
students and staff members."
Over the summer: "I
read plays. My favorite
authors are Gilbert, Sullivan
and Stephen Sondheim. I
like being a part of these,
especially because the
music is very complicated
and interesting. I also
worked on the set design
for the upcoming musical,
’Crazy for You.’ Along with
choreographing the fight
scenes, I played with all
the new technology in the
theater."
Proudest moment: "Not
one, many. I'm proud of all
the students I've worked
with over the years who
have gone on to bigger
and better things. There
are many kids now taking
part in professional theatre
programs, onstage or behind
the scenes."
Last word: "I'm a pretty
easy going guy, and I am
really happy to be a part of
the theater program here at
West Linn."
Blakemore 6 Resource Center
u K ate T olan _____________
Staff Reporter
N ad in e N e w ro n es, S p e cia l
Education teaching assistant,
worked as a clown in college.
Photo by Cole Fiala
jazz choir and acapella choir
in high school. Also sang at
church. Would like to get
involved in a choral group
again someday.
Best attribute: Believes
her best attribute would be
that she is outgoing. Enjoys
trying many new things and
has a good sense of humor.
Amanda Blakemore loves
teaching with a passion.
She feels that securing
an education for the next
generation is vital and
wants to be a great teacher
whom students will always
remember.
Cooperating teacher:
Laura Crutcher, Resource
Center
College: Portland State
University
Hobbies: Reading,
knitting, crafts
Name she prefers in
classroom: "Miss Blakemore."
Subject she teaches: "I
teach literature because of my
English background. I focus
on building reading and
writing skills."
Her drive to be a teacher:
"I believe education is
important. I am a lifelong
learner. I believe there is no
better profession because
you get to share knowledge
and learn along with the
children."
She attends college: "I am
currently attending Portland
State University and working
toward a dual credit. I
will have endorsements
in English and Special
Education."
Obstacles and challenges
in the classroom: "Other
than unruly students, it is
difficult to keep learning
materials fresh and new. I
really try to make things fun
and interesting to keep my
students involved."
Her high school
experience: "I didn't like
high school because I was
never challenged. It was
academically boring for me.
My favorite teachers were
those who were willing to
push and challenge me. I felt
like I was getting up at eight
o'clock in the morning to
socialize."
Blafeemore loins staff_________
m
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