0038_Aurora Alternative High School, The Phoenix, 2001

Description: Ahh.... Jan, the one we all know and trust to find usjobs....Q: I low has being a teacher at Aurora has changed you?A: I dont think it has changed me. I really love myjob, so I guess it has made me a happier person. Iprobably view the world a little differently than a lot ofadults because I work here, but I believe it is in apositive way.Q: What are your favorite things about Aurora?A: The #1 favorite part of my job would have to be thestudents. I have met some really wonderful people here.I love the energy all over the place. I am also very luckyto work with staff I consider my very close friends. Welaugh a lot around here. It is a great place to goeveryday.Q: What do you think about the changes Aurora hasmade?A: Change is good and usually necessary. Mostchanges have evolved naturally as needed. ’You can beon the right track, but if your just sit there you will getrun over. Im not sure who said that, but H is true.Q: What was your favorite class to teach?A: My favorite class is Co-op. I always enjoy teachingthis class. It is very rewarding. The class has reallyevolved with student input. I like it mostly because thenature of the class allows for it to be geared to eachstudent individually. It is all about them.Any words from Noelour creative Art teacher?Q: What do you think about the changes Aurora hasmade?A: Change is good and usually necessary. Mostchanges have evolved naturally as needed. ’You can beon the right track, but if your just sit there you will getrun over. Im not sure who said that, but it is true.Q: What is your favorite memory here?A: Graduation is always a great memory. Immersionfor the last two years is also a wonderful memory withmy dear friend Suzie McCloud. We really had some funwith our groups both years. One other memory standsout: when we were at the little house on Adams Street aman fell through the ceiling into my classroom right inthe middle of a discussion.Q: How has being a teacher at Aurora changed you?A: Before teaching at Aurora, I used to commute toschool fifty miles away. I always felt sad that I didn tteach in my own community. Since coming to Aurorahave felt more connected to my community. Now. Illbe somewhere in town and I will recognize kids. Itssilly, but getting the chance to wave ‘Hi! to everyoneoutside of school makes my day.Q: What are your favorite things about Aurora? ,A: I love the size. I have never had the desire to teachat a large school. At a large school, how can anyone getto know each other? I also think that its really cool thathere at Aurora kids with all different styles andbackgrounds get along (for the most part) and areaccepting of each others differences.Q: What do you think about the changes Aurora hasmade?A: I think its sad that we had to make any changes.We all decided to be at Aurora and everyone should Iable to keep it simple. No one should have to worryabout policing people. But there are always a few wholike to push the limits, and that’s even more sad.Q: What is your favorite memory here?A: The chats and the laughs that Suzie and I shared.Q: What was your favorite class to teach?A: For the most part, I have enjoyed all my classes,have tried to pick classes that I thought would be formost everybody. The only frustrations I haveexperienced have been the negativity from some studentswho don’t lighten up and try. That can getdiscouraging.
Source: http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-aurora/id/790
Collection: Aurora Alternative High School

Further information on this record can be found at its source.