JULY 29, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5
KeizerCommunity
Behrends retires
from McNary
KEIZERTIMES.COM
By DEREK WILEY
Of the Keizertimes
Most teachers had some-
one in their life who inspired
them. For Joe Behrends, it was
Mr. Myers.
“I had a seventh grade so-
cial studies teacher, “Behrends
said. “He treated everybody
well and you always felt like
you were part of the class. You
didn’t feel left out.”
Behrends, who taught so-
cial studies at McNary for 16
years, tried to do the same in
his classroom.
“If you’re part of some-
thing, you’ll get a lot more
out of the kids,” he said.
A student at the University
of Oregon, Behrends started
out as a business major with
a focus on accounting. But af-
ter his sophomore year, Beh-
rends wanted a change, so he
sat down with his dad, an in-
surance salesman. He asked a
simple question—“What do
you like?”
Switching majors allowed
Behrends to meet his wife,
who also retired this year
from Chapman Hill Elemen-
tary in Salem.
“We can go out together,”
Behrends said. “It is a very dif-
fi cult job. It takes a lot of en-
ergy to do it well.”
At the end of his career,
Behrends taught honors
freshmen, world geography
and AP European History,
but over time he’s taught just
about everything.
“I’m a history guy,” Beh-
rends. “I’ve never taught a
class I didn’t like. I’ve been
fortunate to have a lot of kids
as freshmen and then as se-
niors and see the change over
time.”
Behrends said more is
asked of teachers now than
when he fi rst started.
He taught at Sprague and
McKay high schools before
being recruited to McNary
in 2000.
“Over my teaching career,
kids’ skills and ability has got-
ten better so I think we’ve
raised the bar and it’s harder
to do stuff with the bar raised,
for sure.
“Kids are more challeng-
ing. There are a lot more
distractions in kids lives now
than when I started. It’s not
just cell phones. It’s so many
more things.”
Behrends said he’ll miss
the kids and fellow teachers
but not grading papers on a
Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a blast, great staff,
great kids. I think McNary is
a great place to be and it will
continue to be a great place
to be.
“Society sometimes un-
dersells kids. You shouldn’t.
There’s great potential there.”
KEIZERTIMES/Derek Wiley
Joe Behrends taught social studies for 16 years at McNary High School.
Hands on
KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald
KEIZER MAYOR CATHY CLARK
JOINS GATOR AND DENISE
About 60 local kids turned out to leave their
mark on the mural at Town and Country
Lanes Saturday, July 23. Lore Christopher,
left, paints the hand of McKinley Nelson.
Walker Nelson puts his handprints on the
wall.
Ask Mr. Trash
EVERY WEDNESDAY
AT 5:30 PM
Q. How do I keep my trash from blowing
in the wind?
©1986
A. Bagging loose trash and closing the cart lid will help prevent
wind related issues, keep pets and crows from spreading the waste,
and will even help with cart cleanliness. It’s also a good idea to roll
shredded paper up into a paper sack before placing it in your blue
cart for recycling. Please help us keep your neighborhood clean!
TUNE IN AS WE TALK ALL THINGS KEIZER!
Serving Keizer for Nearly 50 years!
LOREN'S
VA L L E Y
SANITATION & RECYCLING SERVICE, INC.
RECYCLING & DISPOSAL, INC.
503.393.2262
503.585.4300
WorshipDirectory
These Salem-Keizer houses of worship invite you to visit.
Call to list your church in our Worship Directory: (503) 390-1051
John Knox Presbyterian Church
JOIN US FOR
SUNDAY WORSHIP
452 Cummings Lane North 393-0404
8:30 am • 10 am • 11:30 am • 6 pm
PEOPLESCHURCH
4500 LANCASTER DR NE | SALEM
503.304.4000 • www.peopleschurch.com
Father Gary L. Zerr, Pastor
Saturday Vigil Liturgy: 5:30 p.m.
Sundays: 8:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
La Misa en Español: 12:30 p.m.
Celebration
Services
Saturday Evening
6:00 pm
Children’s Programs, Student and Adult Ministries
1755 Lockhaven Dr. NE Keizer
503-390-3900
www.dayspringfellowship.com
Sunday Morning
9:00 am
and
10:45 am
Rev. Dr. John Neal, Pastor
Worship - 10:30 a.m.
Education Hour - 9:15 a.m.
Nursery Care Available
www.keizerjkpres.org
Faith Lutheran Church
4505 River Rd N • 393-4507
Sunday Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Children’s Church
9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study
9:30 a.m. Children’s Activities
Pastor
Virginia Eggert 10:30 a.m. Worship with Communion