New Teachers Offer Fresh Perspectives
Math, Spanish and history each gain experienced and optimistic teachers
By Sara Stamos
Math, Spanish and history each gain experienced and optimistic teachers
By Sara Stamos
Three new teachers have joined the staff this year and are looking forward to bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to campus.
History teacher Margaret Cassidy taught economics and government, world culture, and college readiness courses for 20 years before coming to Pioneer and says that the connections she forms with her students are what inspires her to continue to teach.
“I enjoy the class, I enjoy the kids, I enjoy the discussions. I enjoy working with students and learning together with them,” said Cassidy.
Cassidy said her favorite moment as a teacher was “seeing students who struggled, but then got it together and walked the stage.”
Geometry and Algebra 1 teacher Douglas Unger originally wanted to be an English teacher, but switched his major to math, favoring it for its reliance on students’ work ethic and their drive to understand the material.
Unger takes a personal approach to teaching, believing that connecting with his students will help them learn better.
“Learning doesn’t really work without the person being in the room,” Unger said. “It’s not necessarily about the content or the way it’s presented, but it has to be personal for the students.”
By the end of the school year, Unger hopes that his students go into summer having learned that the only way to succeed is to try your hardest.
“I would prefer that they learn not to take shortcuts,” said Unger. “A shortcut is the quickest path to failure.”
The new Spanish teacher Jesus Lopez, who instructs Spanish 1-2 and 5-6, started as a teaching assistant and has been an educator for 25 years since.
Lopez knew he wanted to teach after taking care of his six younger siblings.
“Since I was a little kid, I knew I would be a teacher because I’m the oldest out of seven siblings and was the teacher to all of them in my father’s absence. My father was working in California and we were born and raised in Mexico,” said Lopez.
His goal for the end of the school year is to make sure that his students master the Spanish language and use it to their advantage in the workplace.
“Spanish is just as important as English is,” Lopez said. “My desire is that my students use Spanish as a tool in the workplace to get promotions, pay raises or to advance in their career and especially to form and advance relationships.”
Despite all three teachers being in different departments, they share similar impressions of Pioneer and its staff and students.
Cassidy was drawn to Pioneer thanks to its friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
“It felt like family in a way,” Cassidy said. “People were just very kind to each other and very kind to other people.”
History teacher Margaret Cassidy taught economics and government, world culture, and college readiness courses for 20 years before coming to Pioneer and says that the connections she forms with her students are what inspires her to continue to teach.
“I enjoy the class, I enjoy the kids, I enjoy the discussions. I enjoy working with students and learning together with them,” said Cassidy.
Cassidy said her favorite moment as a teacher was “seeing students who struggled, but then got it together and walked the stage.”
Geometry and Algebra 1 teacher Douglas Unger originally wanted to be an English teacher, but switched his major to math, favoring it for its reliance on students’ work ethic and their drive to understand the material.
Unger takes a personal approach to teaching, believing that connecting with his students will help them learn better.
“Learning doesn’t really work without the person being in the room,” Unger said. “It’s not necessarily about the content or the way it’s presented, but it has to be personal for the students.”
By the end of the school year, Unger hopes that his students go into summer having learned that the only way to succeed is to try your hardest.
“I would prefer that they learn not to take shortcuts,” said Unger. “A shortcut is the quickest path to failure.”
The new Spanish teacher Jesus Lopez, who instructs Spanish 1-2 and 5-6, started as a teaching assistant and has been an educator for 25 years since.
Lopez knew he wanted to teach after taking care of his six younger siblings.
“Since I was a little kid, I knew I would be a teacher because I’m the oldest out of seven siblings and was the teacher to all of them in my father’s absence. My father was working in California and we were born and raised in Mexico,” said Lopez.
His goal for the end of the school year is to make sure that his students master the Spanish language and use it to their advantage in the workplace.
“Spanish is just as important as English is,” Lopez said. “My desire is that my students use Spanish as a tool in the workplace to get promotions, pay raises or to advance in their career and especially to form and advance relationships.”
Despite all three teachers being in different departments, they share similar impressions of Pioneer and its staff and students.
Cassidy was drawn to Pioneer thanks to its friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
“It felt like family in a way,” Cassidy said. “People were just very kind to each other and very kind to other people.”