West Linn, Ore. / Volume 99 / Issue 2 / Winter 2019
INSIDE
Amplifier West Linn High School
Stress-tracurriculars New year, less tech Emphasizing diversity Top 10 films of 2018
ORCHESTRA PRESENTS CHEERY CLASSICAL CONCERT BY MEGAN RIEHLE staff reporter
The cellos and the violas harmonize to create the sweet sound of Peter Warlock's Capriol Suite at the winter orchestra concert on Dec. 20. Lilly Curdy, sophomore, plays the cello. “A lot of work goes into preparing for our concerts,” Curdy said, “The hardest part is just getting over the nerves of concert night.”
FAR LEFT: The auditorium filled with parents, grandparents and siblings, eager to congratulate their family members on their performance. One student in particular was congratulated on making it into all state. Rhea Grover, sophomore, beams as the audience claps for her.
RIGHT: Bass player, senior Haden Misra, was congratulated on making it to the state competition, among others.
Jones honored as metro Teacher of the Year BY CODY WHITE staff reporter
On certain days, Todd Jones will leaves out a teddy bear and stuffed Snoopy on random desks for his history and government students. Photos by Cody White.
Teacher Todd Jones has been recognized as Oregon’s Teacher of the Year for the Portland metro area. As a regional winner of the award, Jones will be automatically considered as a candidate for the 2019 Teacher of the Year which will be announced in Sept. 2019. Jones, who has nearly 15 years at WLHS, teaches modern world history along with AP U.S. Government. Jones also taught at Rosemont Ridge Middle School for around six years, and he coaches the cross country and track teams there. “What I try to find in my room is a balance between having fun but also being serious about doing good work,” Jones said. With 20 years inside the West Linn-Wilsonville District, Jones has gathered much experience about teaching. Jones also took a year away from teaching to work inside the Oregon government, trying to gain a new perspective on teaching. “That really had a significant impact on me as a teacher. Because that’s where I came up with that tool box up there,” Jones said. “That notion that there is a set of skills that
all my students need, no matter what course I’m teaching.” Jones teaches around this "toolbox" of ideas: critical thinking, communication collaboration, and more complex concepts such as being committed citizens and creative problem solvers. “It’s very gratifying as a teacher when people leave the room saying, 'I can make a difference,'” Jones said. “I want to make sure that the stuff in here—you go—that matters, to the world I live in, it matters in my life, this is something that’s useful to have.” Jones has helped students run all kinds of campaigns to make change in the community and world at large, such as the nearly annual canned food drive inside the high school, which is managed by students. “He makes the classroom feel really welcoming. He’s very flexible, so you don’t need to worry if you get behind because of another class," Cole Birmingham, senior, said. Anyone who has gone into Jones’ room could tell you why exactly it feels so welcoming—it’s filled with Snoopy collectables. “I think I’m actually going to set up my own [Snoopy] museum when I retire,” Jones said.