12009
P atrick D'A rcy
Jr
_______ _
staff
Reporter
This first semester has been
eventful. Eight new teachers
have joined the staff this
year. Each of them
have had their own
experiences in the
first semester, but
they have all made
it through the first
semester.
Kevin Egan
a new job always involves a
period of adjustment for both
the students and myself. I
think we're still getting used
to ea°h other. You
have to remember
that I took over
for someone that
many of these
students had in
class for two to
three years. To
impose my will or
Band and Orchestra
teacher
Highlights
of first
semester:
All of the
highlights
have
happened
very
spon
taneously;
hanging
out at
lunch or
laughing on
a bus to some
Kevin Egan
my
event. The best
way
part about this
of doing things in a unilateral
place is the people and how
fashion isn't what's best for
much fun they are to work
everyone involved.
with.
Workload effects on
Outlook on teaching: This
teaching: You'd have to ask
is my 24th year teaching so
the students and other folks
being here one semester hasn't
if the workload has impacted
altered too much of what I'm
my job. A new gig implies
about. West Linn has its own
a steep learning curve, but
unique feel. I'm still trying
the community here is very
1 o take it all in. Ask me what
supportive and the students
I think of this high school in
three years. I figure that's how are very capable. I'm just
trying to facilitate the
long it will take to figure out
continued quality of an
a few things. At this point,
excellent instrumental
I'm just glad that I know
program. WLHS has
where the A, B, C Porches are
had a solid reputation
located.
for its music programs
Best part of job: It sounds
for over two decades.
trite, but the students are
I figure it's my job to
what make teaching so much
fun. I dig seeing young
be the steward of this
musicians g r o w ----- and
program.
develop
Reason for coming to
and work
West Linn: I applied
through
for the job because I live
challenges.
in West Linn and one day
That's
my own children will be in
always
my class. After talking with
been the
friends and colleagues that
defining part
have experienced and
of my
oyed this dynamic,
job.
felt I had to at
I’m
least apply for
not
the gig. Also, Mr.
Cumpston and I
have been good
friends for a very
long time. He
and I had a lot
of discussions
about the
possibilities
and
opportunities
very good at sitting through
meetings and in services, but I that are a part of this
particular program. It seemed
could rehearse and teach and
like a good time to jump in
work with students all day. I
the water.
still think (almost every day)
when I'm walking to work, "I
get to do this."
Classroom rules: My policies
(^aven't changed from the
start of the year, but taking on
Kathleen Terner
Math teacher
Highlights of first semester: I
have really enjoyed getting to
know so many students. The
students here are awesome!
I look forward to coming to
work every day.
Outlook on teaching: Every
year I get new ideas for
teaching.
What West Linn has to offer:
I have been really impressed
with the technology available
to students and teachers. Best
part of job: I love interacting
with students and teaching
them something valuable.
Classroom rules: General
classroom policies are pretty
much the same.
Workload effects on
teaching:
amount
of work but that is true of
any teaching job.
Reason for coming to
West Linn: I have family
in this area and love the
city of West Linn.
Kevin Mills
Math teacher
planning I do not feel as if it
has affected my performance.
Reason for coming to West
Linn: I choose to come
to West Linn because of
the community and great
reputation of the school.
Heidi Johnson
English teacher and
Leadership
Highlights of first
semester: I have
had too many
memorable moments
to acknowledge! One
of them was going
on a field trip to the
Nike campus with my
Leadership class; it was
a lot of fun.
Outlook on teaching:
Being here has
reinforced my positive
outlook on teaching.
I am excited to
be a part of this
school and part of
a community that
takes pride in what
they do.
What West Linn has to
offer: It was definitely
more than I expected.
The students here have
great energy and positive
attitudes, and the teachers
are welcoming and have
been very supportive and
helpful to me. WLHS also has
great resources for teachers
to utilize and that is very
helpful.
Best part of job: I love getting
to know so many students.
It is fun working
with everyone and
them
new things. I
seeing
the looks on
students'
faces
Kevin Mills
Highlights of first semester:
I enjoyed getting to know
everybody and getting
involved with many activities
at school.
Outlook on teaching: My
outlook on teaching has not
changed after being at West
Linn considering this is my
first year teaching.
What West Linn has to
offer: Teaching here at West
Linn has been more than I
expected. I have been having
a great time and feel lucky to
be a part of this High School.
Best part of job: The most
enjoyable parts of this
job have to be the daily
interactions with students.
Classroom rules: I do not
feel as though I have changed
any of my policies from first
semester to second.
Workload effects on
teaching: Having a big
work load comes with being
a teacher and is something
that you deal with everyday.
With proper organization and
Heidi Johnson
would be prepared and ready.
I guess I would just be getting
less sleep.
Reason for coming to West
Linn: It is a great community
and a great school. I would
love to stick around this area
for awhile. Who wouldn't
want to teach here?!
Adam Betzelberger
History teacher
Highlights of first semester:
My U.S. history students
worked very hard on a
newspaper project on
industrialization. As a teacher,
I greatly appreciate when
students take a challenging
goal, work hard to achieve
that goal, and in many cases
exceed my expectations.
Outlook on teaching:
Students and staff have
excellent working conditions.
After coming from a less
economically advantaged
school, one needs to
remember the conveniences
that make learning and
teaching easier.
What West Linn has to
offer: WLHS has hundreds
of computers and a
projector in every
classroom. Last
year I taught at
Forest Grove
High School.
The school
had one
computer
lab with 20
functional
computers
and four
projectors
for the entire
school.
t h e y ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ "g e t'
something
new. I also like that there is
something new every day; it
is always entertaining.
Teaching what I
love is great, too.
Classroom rules:
Nothing has really
changed.
Workload effects
on teaching: Since I
am a part-time
teacher, I
actually
have a
lot of
time
to get
things
done,
which
is nice.
I am
very
obsessive
when it
Adam Betzelberger
comes to
planning; I
always have
Photos by Patrick D'Arcy
to be prepared,
so either way
continued on page 13
(part-time or full-time) I
New Teachers