9/16/13
BEARS: After the departure of several teachers last year, Poly welcomes a number of promising new teachers.
By Timothy Chen, Staff Writer
With the start of a brand new school year, Poly High School went through quite a few changes. One of these recent developments was the change in the faculty, specifically teachers. With their arrival, the newcomers have brought their own unique ways of teaching. Kevin Smith, a new math teacher and football coach, practices a highly spirited and humorous way of teaching. To conduct his classes in this manner, Smith relies on his abundant energy and good student relationships. “Teach children, don’t tell them what you know,” Smith said.
After the loss of Richard Stephen, Kristen Pickering took the task of leading Poly’s choirs. Pickering had an outstanding choir teacher in middle school, so she decided to follow the path of music. As demonstrated by her close relationship with her singers, Pickering thinks of the choir as a “family.” Pickering not only takes the role of choir teacher, she also acts as a mentor to her students. Picking up where Stephen left off, Pickering’s choir shows great potential, as demonstrated by the overwhelming enthusiasm of her freshman class.
Filling vacant spaces in the 600 building, Michael Gull and Leticia Hilton promise students an enjoyable, technology-filled learning experience. Hilton, a new math teacher, who formerly taught at Arlington High, is fully dedicated to her students. She teaches with the belief that education does make a difference. Gull, a former teacher, has returned to his passion after a break from teaching. Students in his class can expect not only technology-integrated lessons, but also an emphasis on collaboration with peers. Gull hopes this school year will be a two-way learning experience.