Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2008)
2008 Hartmann takes year to dedicate himself to fatherhood u HiLLl ClAVARELLO & CHRIS E r BIN Staff Reporters Jim Hartmann, science teacher currently on leave, is a full time father, student and rabbit rescuer. He is spending this school year with his eight-month-old boy, Jamie Zelig, completing his Master's Degree in teaching at Lewis & Clark College and operating his at-home charity, the Oregon House Rabbit Charity. But even with his hectic schedule, Hartmann is happy with in his decision. "It was a hard decision to stay home—I went through ■ a grieving process. But my wife and I always figured that the first years [of Jamie's life] were going to be the most important. With nannies and daycares, we didn't feel that we would be able to fully experience raising our child," Hartmann said. So what does the typical day in the Hartmann household consist of? The day begins with an early wake up call, diaper changing, and his wife, Esther, leaving for work. The day goes on to involve grandparents, a ride to his wife's work (she's a teacher at Tualatin High School) and night school. Oh, and don't forget the rabbits. "We have 80 rabbits at the moment. A month ago we had twice as many," Hartmann neutered, bring them back to health and find them homes. "Please, please, please do NOT buy baby rabbits at Easter," Hartmann said. Though he's not teaching, it hasn't been far from his mind these past eight months. "I've been doing a lot of said. The charity was launched in 1990 after several hundred domestic abandoned rabbits were left on a golf course in east Portland. Hartmann and his wife, along with several other adults and students, founded a group to round them up have them spayed or Jim Hartmann, science teacher, plays with his son, Jamie Zelig, on a field trip with the Ecology Field Trip class last month. Hartmann will return to WLHS next year, when his wife, Esther, will take a year's leave of absence to spend with Jamie. . Photos by Malia C h o n g thinking; about what I could do differently and how my teaching can evolve with my personal life. Also, about time and how it passes—maybe I'm thinking too much," Hartmann said. And with all this thinking, Hartmann has been able to reflect on his life in and outside of school. . "The time I spend with Jamie gives me the sense that I am extremely important to one person's life. [Parenting] is similar [to teaching] in that way—in both I get a feeling of a larger impact. I'm eager to connect with students about important things [when I return], like our future and how we can impact it," Hartmann said. Hartmann's life now is all about learning. "I'm learning all the time, with school and with Jamie. I've just recently learned about early child speech development in a language class—everything connects and comes in handy," . Hartmann said. Occasionally students get a glimpse of Hartmann on field trips. He chaperoned on the recent geology class caving field trips, as well as the Ecology Field Study class duck feeding adventure. "When I bring Jamie on field trips, we both get a lot of intellectual/social stimulation by interacting with all of you guys and with the natural world. There's something about being out in the field with young adults; all that energy, all that freshness of perspective, all that hope and possibility. It is really wonderful to experience," Hartmann said. Hartmann plans to return next year to resume teaching AP Enviromental Science and Geology classes while his wife takes a year off to be at home with Jamie. Although he is excited to return to teaching, he regards his time off as an opportunity in life that cannot be replaced. He acknowledges he has missed his time away from school, however the advantages of being an at- home dad are evident. "I've come to realize that life now is much easier than it was when I was teaching. I sleep more and my life now is more laid back," Hartmann said. "I'm worried I'm going soft. Returning at this point is like an athlete not being fully prepared for the upcoming season. The routine will be different from this year, that's for sure." Crafty students committing to passion for knitting a HlLLi ClAVARELLO______________ Staff Reporter Something crafty is going on. Knitting is the new fad both in and outside of school. Whether they are trying to save money in the present department or making the community warmer, knitting has woven its way into students' lives. Diane Gauthier and Lynn Pass, art teachers, are the brains behind the Fiber Arts class. Gauthier, who teaches Fiber Arts, sees knitting as more than just handwork. "I incorporate the elements and principles of art into the assignments, because I believe these handwork skills are more than 'crafty' skills, they are a medium for artistic expression," Gauthier said. Knitting has become fashionable, not just something your grandma does to pass the time. It has become a new form of self-expression. Students are learning all different techniques, from free hand to purling, and are using „■ ^ ^ th em to make unique designs. "[I like to make] hats and scarfs. I like to experiment teaches children age six to 13 how to knit at Lake Oswego's Tangle Knitting Studio. She grew up around knitting, her mother is a knitwear designer who taught her how to knit at the age of five. "I remember trying to teach my friends how to knit in middle school and them being not interested—but I now find myself answering questions from the very same friends," Eichenlaub said. in making new things with different patterns," Aubree White, senior, said. Drew Bardana, senior, uses knitting to open up his already artistic outlook on life. "I do [enjoy knitting] because I like to try different forms of art; when I started knitting I got all these people to do it too—from my mom to co-workers. It's a knitting epidemic," Bardana said. Laine Eichenlaub, junior, y: «.I... ,. a 'i. Eichenlaub also sees a new "younger vibe from college- age kids" regarding knitting. Her main reason behind that is the tangibility of it. "It's a new art form that results in a tangible piece of art—something you can design for yourself and accomplish by yourself too," Eichenlaub said. Knitting can also be a way to contribute to the community. Avery Breyne- Cartwright and Sydney MacNaughton, sophomores, knit for the homeless by contributing to CitiTeam Ministries, located in downtown Portland. They started knitting over the summer, and then realized that their newfound talent was multifaceted. "I donate my knitting because I like to feel like I have a bigger impact on the world," MacNaughton said. .. I llilll llil JÏ Mm ¡¿CB* \ I: Is m I mi mm mm Ill ¡8 É W V . ' flffii 'V fe in $£f!Ì0T . .. mm h . ,arae m ' her back.
