McKenzie Feldman Staff Writer From: from the Midwest (Illinois) College: She went to Meredith College where she achieved her bachelor’s in family consumer sciences Subject: Apparel I, Apparel II, Foods I What did you do before coming to Apex High School? “I was a teacher at Wakefield High School.” Why did you become a teacher? “I had really good family consumer science teachers when I was in high school, so I wanted to do the same thing.” Why did you choose your subject area? “I feel like you can be really creative with it and family consumer sciences deals with many things. It’s interior design, foods and nutrition, personal finance, fashion, and child development.” Favorite book: The Great Gatsby Favorite movie: She loves Disney movies, in particular The Lion King. What are your thoughts on Apex High School so far? “I feel like the students seem really responsible, and if I ever need something, someone is always willing to help me. I like all of my coworkers because they are all so nice, and I love my students.” Hobbies: anything dealing with the outdoors Pet Peeves: hearing people chew and when people are not on time Awards: Received an award in college for being an outstanding senior in her department What were you like as a student? “I always went to class, and I never skipped when I was in high school. I skipped a couple of times when I was in college, but you just have those days. I tried to avoid procrastinating, that way I didn’t have to worry about it later on.” What advice would you give to students? “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, because typically everyone has been in the same boat as you at one point. Also go to class! The only way you’re not going to pass is if you don’t show up. “ If you weren’t teaching what do you think you would be doing? “I would probably be doing something with fashion or within the fashion industry.” Inspiration: Her family consumer science teacher when she was in high school because, “she always made class really fun, and I always looked forward to going to her class. She and I have actually kept in contact, and she has been my support system throughout my career.” Most memorable moment as a teacher: The first time she received a thank you note from a student What do you think your students think of you? “Honestly they probably think I look too young to be a teacher. I hope they would think that I’m fair with everyone and that I am nice.” Emily Caroline Sartin Staff Writers Subject: English I and English III College: Michigan State University Previous Teaching Experience: Summers taught for one year at Mills Park Middle School in Cary and for one year at Holly Grove Middle School in Holly Springs. Inspiration: Summers’s inspiration to become a teacher came from watching his second grade teacher and thinking, “Anybody can do this...you get to hang out with kids all day and teach them something.” He also found it “fascinating to say, ‘How can I help someone who has no idea what I am talking about, understand what I am talking about?’” Why English? Summers chose English because he was “always best at it in school,” and “was always reading a book… [or] poetry” because “there are so many fascinating things that are put into books.” This constant reading gave Summers an “appreciation for literature and words.” Favorite Book: “A book I always go back and read is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry...because the meaning of it changes depending on how old you are.” Thoughts on Apex: Summers enjoys the pride the whole community takes in Apex, citing the Apex stickers on cars and spirit wear often being worn. “Everyone is involved in making this a great place.” Hobbies: Recreational tennis, biking, running, cooking, and baking Best High School Memory: “Graduation was awesome; it's a sense of accomplishment and freedom.” Alongside graduation, Summers’s best memories during high school were in band class where he was able to hang out with friends, make music, and compete against rival schools. Alyssa Hotchkiss Staff Writer Inspiration: Parents because they were hard working but always there for her. Before Apex High: Academic Librarian. Subject: Media Specialist Advice to students: Enjoy your time in high school! If you could choose a different job it would be: A writer Pet Peeve: “As far as I know none!” Why Apex High: She actually took a few years off when moving to Apex, but when she decided she wanted to work again, Apex High had the perfect opening! This is Munger’s first year back as a librarian since she lived here. So far she is loving Apex High. She says the students look happy to be here and are hard-working. Let’s give her a big Welcome and hope she stays here for many years to come! Meenakshi Sathish and Taylor Tyson Staff Writers Meet Mr. Daniel Jarvis, band teacher at Apex High School. Originally from Thomasville, North Carolina, “kind of near Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem,” Jarvis was a well-rounded child “who played baseball and basketball growing up.” In high school, he was a “fairly popular” trumpeter who “had a lot of acquaintances.” He went to the University of Kentucky for his undergrad and “is currently working on a major in Conducting at the American Band College.” Prior to coming to Apex High School, Jarvis “taught High School Band at West Oaks High School for four years,” as well as teaching “band and choir” at West Central Davidson High School. Marching band competition season is coming up, and Mr. Jarvis has high hopes for the band. As the band director, he also runs the Apex High Marching Band. This year’s theme is My Spanish Heart (previously chosen by ex-Apex band teacher Mr. Rowe), which is a very fun, Latin-flavored show with “a love theme intermingled… which travels throughout the show”. So go support the AHSMB with their show at competitions or during any varsity football game at Apex High School. Having been very close with his band directors, especially his high school band director, he grew to appreciate the art of music and the teaching profession. The reason Mr. Jarvis wanted to be a teacher is because he “wanted to teach people about music.” A lot of the things he teaches his students today are what he learned from his high school band director who was “like a second father” to him. Many other teachers, aside from music teachers, have taught him about life and are his inspiration to become a teacher. Jarvis, alike to his past influences, wants to prepare his students for life with music. He states, “There’s a lot about life you can learn from being involved in band,” i.e. “teamwork, dedication to a common goal, time management, working hard for an end result.” Dylan Snyder Staff Writer Most people around the school know her around the school as Coach Barton because she is the head coach of the cheer team, but just this year she joined the teaching staff as an earth science teacher. I got the chance to sit down and interview her and learn about her and how she feels about her new job. Below are some of the questions I asked her. Where are you from: Born in Pennsylvania but has lived here since she was ten Siblings: Two sisters and one brother High school: Apex High School (alongside current teachers Mr. Moog and Mr. Adam Thomas) College: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Inspiration for career: She always wanted to teach but was in a program in high school called Peer Discovery. This was similar to a class we offer currently called Teacher Cadet. She was a former cheerleader so that is how she got into that position. Do you enjoy your job here? She enjoys the few days here as a teacher so far and really likes her time here coaching cheer. Hobbies/activities: Traveling, reading, going to the gym, and spending quality time with friends and family. Greatest achievement: As a coach the stunt team were Wake County champions in the first year (2015) and coaching our cheer team to win states (2014). Favorite TV shows: Scandal, Astronaut Wives, The Bachelor and Bachelorette Favorite kind/kinds of music? Mostly everything (pop, country, rap,) anything but bluegrass Pet peeves: When people smack their gum while chewing! This bothered her as a student as well as a teacher. Advice to students as a teacher and from past experiences: Enjoy high school because it goes by quickly, but study and keep up your grades in the meantime. I would like to thank Ms. Barton for taking the time out of her obviously busy schedule. It was not easy to find time, but it was greatly appreciated, and I hope she gets the chance to read this article. Students you will now hopefully have a general idea of who Ms. Barton is and a little about her if you have her next semester or get into her class in the future. She is a very nice person, and although she seems laid back, you will need to work hard in her class to succeed because she has a nice but hard-working type of personality. Nick Stines Staff Writer College: East Carolina University undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing Education and MBA (Masters in Business Administration). Position: Career Development Coordinator Motivation: Love for Apex and impacting students. “I was a high school teacher for the past few years in Guilford County. I felt like I was making a great impact on the classroom, but I felt that my interactions were somewhat limited to the students that I taught in my classes. As the Career Development Coordinator here at Apex High, I get to help all students decide what they want to do after they leave Apex High and how to accomplish those goals (larger range of Impact)!” Marriage: His wife is the new Drama teacher at Athens Drive High School. Favorite T.V. show: Game of Thrones Favorite music artists: The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, The Strokes, and Mumford and Sons Biggest college mistake: “My first semester of college, I signed up for 8 am classes! Don’t do it! You may think that you can handle it because we start the day here at 7:18. It’s different; don’t do it!” Favorite thing to discuss among friends or students: Business ideas. “I love making money, and I’m always searching for the angle!” Most nostalgic song: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. “It’s a pretty big deal at ECU!” Advice to graduating seniors: “The end is closer than you think! Most of the things that you were waiting to do this year probably should have been done. Deep breaths, come to Room 240 and the CDC (Mr. Hayes) will help you figure out a game plan!” Question and Answer Q: “Is your reputation according to students important to you?” A: “As it relates to trust and competence, it is very important to me. I’ve never worried about being the cool teacher. I just try to do everything I can to help you succeed.” Q: “If you were trapped in a grocery store for a whole night, what would you eat given that you’re hungry?” A: “I’d probably grill some steaks. I would definitely eat some ice cream too (It’s my favorite)!” Hailey Loftin Staff Writer College: NC State University, rejected offers from both UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest. Subject: AOIT English 12 and English 12 Best High School Memory: In high school, Ms. Collis was a cheerleader and was picked one week as Athlete of the Week for her high school (Ashbrook High School). The Athlete of the Week kicked a 15-yard field goal at the football game the Friday night of that week, and if they made the field goal everyone in attendance got free Sonic after the game. Ms. Collis practiced with the football team and missed every attempt. On the night of the game, she ended up making the field goal. She says that it’s one of the best moments of her high school experience. “I still tell people about it all the time,” she said. Inspiration: Jake Delhomme, former quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. When asked about this, Ms. Collis said that she loved that he competed in a Super Bowl with the Panthers and that she felt like he was very underrated. The day he was cut, she wore black to school and sticker that said “17 Forever” on it. Favorite things about Apex/Apex High School: She loves the small-town feel combined with the proximity to Raleigh. As for Apex High School, the tradition and character that the school has is something Ms. Collis really likes about it. Most Memorable Moment as a Teacher: For the second semester of the 2014-2015 school year, Ms. Collis was a student teacher for Mr. Ferguson (she won Student Teacher of the Year and NC State). On the last day of the school year, each class period threw a party for her. They had a Britney Spears playlist put together and gave her an Alex and Ani bracelet with a cougar paw on it. |
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