11 minute read
Teacher Checkup
Teacher Checkup BY AIDEN VELEZ
Not only have students been struggling to adjust to the new schedule and in-person learning after months on end of nothing but screen time, so have teachers been going through similar struggles.
This year teachers have had many additional responsibilities due to COVID-19, such as new technology, teaching online, new safety precautions, adapting to schedules, helping students with their ever changing needs, and now combining teaching online and in person in real time. Dr. Andy Sandiford, English teacher, said the biggest difference for him is the “reduction in the volume of work I am able to complete. Essentially, I have lost about two weeks of instructional time.
On a physical level, the required seating arrangement with students in columns and rows is a huge departure from my circular arrangement by modules or cohorts.” Craig Mohr, wind symphony director, has had to physically move his classes outside near the SSB under a tent, after moving from both the junior high basketball field and behind the junior high gym.
Science labs have also had to make major adaptations. Caren Hall said, “I have tried (sometimes successful, sometimes not) to figure out how to do labs remotely. I’ve had to put a lot more resources online. I make and record lectures a lot more than I used to.”
Then, the transition back to inperson schooling brought more changes with the expected flood of students returning to the high school campus. Sandiford stated that a benefit of Zoom was that every student’s name was clearly visible and easy to read. Sandiford likes to refer to people by name and Zoom made that goal easier for him. Mohr appreciates the return of his students for in-person wind symphony.
Hall has found the flood of students to help her personally with feeling more happy. “I sleep a lot better now that I’m on my feet all day. The days are a bit longer. I laugh a lot more now that I can hear all the little side conversations. I feel happier and less depressed.”
After a year of online or HyFlex learning, teachers have mixed feelings about the possibility of repeating it again next year. Sandiford believes efficient educators can make the necessary adjustments given enough time to prepare, and in such those changes can be effective.” Mohr strongly disagrees with the idea of doing HyFlex learning for the next school year given all the complications he has had to face with wind symphony. Hall claims that attention between two student groups is hard and difficult for a teacher to feel like one group is getting less attention than the other. Her idea is that there should be teachers who have expertise in Online teaching and teachers who specialize in on campus learning.
Beth Robertson, typing teacher, said it’s a challenge “keeping track of both groups of people” is a challenge with HyFlex learning. “If remote students join Zoom late, I don’t always hear it and let them in right away. Thankfully most of my students are in person which makes grading so much easier.” Like students who have experienced a lot this year, so too have teachers learned a lot. Sandiford believes that he has received evidence of change amongst himself and students. “I have been given definitive evidence of the nature of my limitation related to the knowledge of the future and speed of change on a personal and community level. I have also learned that it is never too late to learn.” Like students who are dealing with personal struggles, like loss of loved ones, sickness, and other personal issues, so have teachers. “In combination with COVID, I have also had to deal with cancer and my cancer treatment program and fitting it in around school. That has added to my load,” Robertson said. Hall has learned that she is not as introverted as she thought and has learned to roll with the quick changes from this school year.
Mohr is happy that human interaction is becoming the new normal again and appreciates his students’ creativity. Mohr wishes it was more predictable and consistent stating, “I am craving predictability and consistency.”
Mohr wishes it was more predictable and consistent stating that “I am craving predictability and consistency.” Teachers have gone through their challenges, rough patches, struggles and hardships along with their students in the process of transitioning back into on campus learning.
“It is essential to be flexible in a crisis. Trees that do not bend are uprooted in a storm; those that give a little stand a better chance to survive,” Sandiford poetically said.
- Mohr
Thank You Dr. Herrmann!
BY NOAH HERNANDEZ
In 1981, Dr. Doug Herrmann had a job offer at Fresno Adventist Academy, however, he had not replied to them for a while. A good acquaintance of his, Dr. Bailey Gillespie, told him about the opening at Loma Linda Academy. Herrmann asked for input from a Bible teacher from LLA at the time, Steve Pawluk, and his friend said, “the only problem with LLA was that there was no place to go afterwards because it’s the best,” and Herrmann agrees.
Shortly after that experience, Herrmann interviewed with the LLA principal at the time and got hired on the spot. Herrmann joined the LLA Staff as the new and fresh Bible teacher for seven years and then was promoted to the principal position and stayed there for seventeen years.
Jon Hall, one of the high school physical education coaches at LLA, taught at the same time as Herrmann. Hall said that he remembers Herrman to be an “excellent coworker.”
Hall said, “Dr. Herrmann is all about being fair to his students. He is very patient and always tries to give his students the benefit of the doubt...he is a great man, a great leader and a wonderful Christian.” Interestingly enough, Hall and Herrmann actually share a birthday, however Hall is older by one year exactly.
Teresa Phillips, a math teacher at LLA, was a student when Herrman was a teacher at LLA. She was also a teacher when he was a principal. One time when she was teaching a geometry class, he came into the classroom to observe. This was how Phillips learned Herrmann is very good at math. As a joke, she gave him the quiz she had just assigned her students, and he got a perfect score!
Kate Lewis, the biology teacher at LLA, was a student at LLA when Herrmann was the principal. Lewis knows Herrmann to be a kind man who always has time for teachers and students. Lewis said, “He would come on many of our trips with us as students, and he always had a smile on his face!”
After working at LLA for twentyfour years, Herrmann felt like he was ready for a change, and being the “associate superintendent” appealed to him. Herrmann said the position appealed to him because “I would have a chance to work with other schools, stay in the area, and still be part of Adventist Education.” However, he couldn’t stay away for too long.
That did not last long though, because about six years later, in the summer of 2011, Herrmann returned to LLA as the Head of Schools. During the time he was gone, Herrmann got his EdD with support from the Seventh-day Adventist church and La Sierra University. Herrmann said, “They had designed and funded a program to encourage educators to get advanced degrees in educational leadership to help fill the need for school administrators.”
Herrmann and his family have been a huge part of LLA. Herrmann’s children were born in Loma Linda, attended LLA, and even worked at LLA. Herrmann’s grandchildren are now enrolled in the school. The Herrmann family has helped make LLA what LLA is today, especially Dr. Doug Herrmann, and although he is leaving his mark on LLA, Herrmann quotes Casting Crowns when he says, “I don’t want to leave a legacy; I don’t care if they remember me, only Jesus.”
He always had a smile on his face!” -Kate Lewis
P.E. Legacy
BY LEILANI CALIXTO
Coach Sue Peterson is a beloved Physical Education (P.E.) teacher, commonly referred to as Coach Sue by students at Loma Linda Academy (LLA). She’s been at LLA for fortyfour years. After a long and rich career in teaching, at the end of the 2021 school year she will be retiring.
She studied physical education in college. Peterson’s been teaching at LLA for 44 years. Her first job was at PUC Preparatory School for two years where she taught P.E., health and religion before coming over to LLA in 1977. Peterson has coached for many varsity teams including flag football, volleyball, basketball, and softball. While being at LLA she’s previously taught health for four years and Junior High P.E. one year. This school year she also taught at the Children’s Center ages two to five. She’s also currently one of the sophomore class sponsors.
Coach Sue loves to joke with her students and occasionaly play practical jokes on them. One of her favorites was when she had two really good friends in a class and one would go into the other’s locker and hide her P.E. uniform, and they would all laugh. One day Coach Sue and the girl with stolen P.E. uniform decided to play a joke on the friend. So Coach Sue took the P.E. uniform of the friend home and sewed on many big bows, and lace. The friend came to class the next day and screemed when she saw the clothes. They all laughed about it, and she wore it for P.E. that day, because Coach Sue said she would recieve a zero for the day if she didn’t wear her uniform. Many students have many nice things to say about Peterson. Kylee Uway (12) who had her freshman through junior year said, “It was like having a mom at school. It was comforting to have her around and to know that mom-type love would always be there when you need it. I’ll miss her hugs and her banters with Coach Hall. Thanks for being amazing to the women in my family. Love you Coach Sue!”
Kylie Balog (9) expressed, “Even from the beginning I think she was one of the easiest teachers to talk to even though we were online and it made class a lot easier.”
Peterson really made an impression on how students feel in class and outside, Gabby Mawikere (12) shared, “She definitely created a really nice and open impression of what the rest of my teachers in high school would be like in my following years.”
Isabella Fick (10) said, “She’s always made me feel comfortable in her class.”
Alex Tello (12) shared, “She impacted my high school experience by making me work harder to achieve my goals.”
Maya Castillo (10) stated, “I will miss having a teacher that I can talk to, kind of like a friend.”
Elyssa Isaia (11) expressed, “She not only has motivated me in my own fitness life but also in volleyball, she is always one to hype me up no matter what.”
Students have been impacted by Peterson in so many different ways. Luka Samardzija (12) said, “I got to be friends with a lot of upperclassmen thanks to her class, and she would drive me to Drayson center with the other sophomores since we couldn’t drive.”
Trevor Samples (12) stated, “She definitely has a passion for sports that spreads through each student she teaches. She taught a class that I always enjoyed and it was fun to look forward to that every day of each year I had her. I could tell the campus will definitely miss her enthusiastic spirit!”
Peterson said, “I’ve been so lucky because I’ve had the most amazing students.”
Coach Sue has really made her mark on LLA. Peterson is clearly loved, and will be missed across campus. PUC Prep and LLLA have been blessed with being able to have Peterson on our campus.
Uway(12)
