The familiar face of Ryan Person that has been helping students perfect singing skills for the past seven years will be taking his talents to Texas to pursue a master’s degree.
RYAN PERSON
West Side Story: What will you miss most? RP: I will miss the fantastic students that I work with. I will miss the terrific colleagues and administration. In short, the people are what make your job what it is, they make it an experience that’s worth it. WSS: What are your plans after West High? RP: I am pursuing a DMA, which is a doctoral or musical arts degree, at Texas Tech University. I will be a graduate teacher assistant with the choirs at Texas Tech. I will also be a full time student pursuing my doctorate degree. After that point I hope to have
the opportunity to get back into being a full time choir director, perhaps at the collegiate level. WSS: How would you like your students to remember you? RP: I want our students to remember me, and this program, as being committed and compassionate. That is one thing that our program has prided itself on, is having that commitment to excellence, but also the compassion to reach out to one another. I want to be remembered as a person who laid the groundwork and enhanced the program, but more so somebody who cared about the students.
photo by creative commons
Monster cookies have become a staple for the lunches here, and after this year, the main archictect behind these creations will be leaving. Richard Fischer, will be taking his baking talents elsewhere. WSS: What is your fondest memory? Richard Fischer: Being the head baker, I will always remember one time when I was making wacky cake. The batter overflowed the mixer and ran all over the floor, it was a real mess. It also always makes me happy to see everyone enjoy the monster cookies we make. WSS: What is some advice you would give to new
staff? RF: Some advice for new staff is to have a lot of patience with the students. They are going through a tough time in their lives. WSS: What is something that no one knows about you? RF: Not many people know that I like to play a lot of video games. Racing games are my favorite. WSS: What are your plans for retirement? RF: I plan on still working part time after West and doing a lot of fishing. I hope I will be remembered for trying to always have a smile for everyone who comes through for lunch.
RICHARD FISCHER
photo by creative commons
PATTY BURGER
DESIGN BY MORGAN SCHMITT-MORRIS
Saying goodbye, Patty Burger will retire from her position as math teacher after teaching hundreds of students in classes from Math Skills to Pre-Calculus for the past 24 years. West Side Story: Any advice for the class of 2015? Patty Burger: Don’t limit yourself. Last week I gave some advice to a girl I was mentoring, who was becoming certified to teach K-3. I told her [to go back] and tell them you want to be certified K-12. Because you don’t know what you want to do in 10 years. Keep your options open, and make as many friends as possible. WSS: What are your plans for retirement? PB: I will get the chance to read a book for more
than 15 minutes a day. I have grandchildren in Des Moines, Kansas City, and San Diego so I can spend time with them, as much as my children will allow me to. Also, teachers never get to go out to lunch, so now I can do that. WSS: What’s been one of your fondest memories at West? PB: There was a student in my consumer class who I found out could not read. So I worked with the student’s special education teacher, who happens to be one of my best friends, to privately teach the student how to read. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
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