KRISTEN PLONSKY –
CV Student Media –
For the past ten years, Castle View High School has worked to establish itself in the Castle Rock community, and continues to make changes by adding traditions and hiring new teachers that can bring new and unique teaching styles to the students.
One large difference this year was the amount of new teachers added to the staff, including temporary additions. This year, Lyndi Shaw is a new long-term sub for a Humanities II class because Lyndsie Riggs is on maternity leave.
“Being a new teacher is really different, especially because I’m a long-term substitute,” said Shaw, “It’s different because Castle View is really unique with the academies program, and I’ve never experienced anything like it before. I really like the academies because it gives teachers the chance to interact with teachers that have different content areas.”
Travis Antons, a new math teacher here at Castle View, has a bit of a different story. Antons has been teaching high school math classes for 14 years, and although he is new to this school, he is definitely not new when it comes to teaching a specific subject to a specific age.
“There are a lot of similarities with teaching the kids at Castle View and teaching the kids I’ve taught at other schools,” said Antons, “Kids are kids.”
All teachers have had different experiences before coming to Castle View, whether it’s coming from another school with a different curriculum or finding new ways to teach a subject, sometimes it’s beneficial for the students to see other teaching styles.
“I really love the new teacher that I have,” said Natalie Stein ‘18. “I think it’s great that we’re getting new teachers. It adds a fresh twist to everyday school life.”
Some other students disagree, including an anonymous that is left frustrated and confused by their new teacher this year. “It’s hard because my teacher has never taught high school before, and the class is super confusing based on their teaching style they learned at previous schools.”
Whether the abundance of new teachers was a beneficial change or a disadvantageous one, it’s without a doubt noticeable this school year.