New Teachers, New Cooking
By: Kayla Eichelburger
Meet Miss Allebach
Miss Elizabeth Allebach is a new teacher in our Family Consumer Science department. Some think that a personality reveals a lot about teaching style. Miss Allebach is a very energetic young teacher. She also has a bubbly personality, is very outgoing, and is active in sports.
Miss Allebach taught before she came to New Oxford. For one year, Miss Allebach has been substituting at another school.
She said her aunt influenced her to become a teacher. Her aunt is a professor at a college and also gave her a lot of encouragement throughout her years.
When it comes to teaching her class, she likes to have her students participate in a lot of group work, individual work, and give her kids multiple activities to work on through out the block. She wants her students to try their hardest everyday during class, use what they’ve learned in her class, and not be intimidated by cooking. The most challenging thing she faces is planning activities for her students.
I gave Miss Allebach an imaginary scenario and asked her what she would do if a student ever came up to her and told her that, “You are the worst teacher I ever had.” Miss Allebach’s answer was very poised and shows that she is ready for the challenges educators face. “Well, I would take such a statement very seriously and would try to make the relationship better. I would ask that student what was said or what had happened that caused her to say that. Then I would ask the student to reflect on what he or she did and how she can change it.”
I also asked her how she might respond if a student would come up to her and say: "None of the other students like me.” She would tell him or her to “think highly of yourself, and don’t let anyone change what you think about yourself….I would try to give them encouragement and give them suggestions on how to make their situation better. No one has the right to make another person feel like he or she doesn’t belong.”
Miss Allebach believes that beginning and experienced teachers accept and embrace the idea that each day gives us an opportunity to only get better; the same challenge is also true for students. In high school, Miss Allebach was very active. The sports she played were cross country and track. So obviously, she likes to run. She remembered some of her own struggles in school, but that didn’t stop her from trying her hardest and she hopes to apply this in order to help students who may need some additional patience and understanding.
Miss Allebach does a lot of things outside of the school doors. Some days she runs, visits her friends, and teaches beginner lessons for swing dance. She has been swing dancing for about six months and says she would like to start a club at the school for this type of dancing.
Miss Allebach is an interesting and enjoyable teacher to be around. She makes her classroom a safe and positive environment for her students and her professionalism helps the people around her feel more relaxed. Her lively personality, sense of humor, and love of life will make her classroom a great place to be.
Ms. Allebach Outshining the Lockers
Meet Miss LaSota
Miss LeeAnn LaSota also teaches Family Consumer Science with Miss Allebach, also a new teacher at New Oxford High School
Before Miss LaSota came to teach at New Oxford, she worked at a summer camp. Her first year working at the summer camp, she was an Arts and Craft teacher. By her second year she was a counselor. During her final year at the summer camp, she was a teacher for autistic children. Miss LaSota’s Family Consumer Science teachers influenced her to become a FCS teacher. Her first FCS teacher was very strict, but when it came to her second FCS teacher, she “fell in love with cooking”, and wanted to be her “mirror”.
Miss LaSota’s approach to education is that learning is an essential part of life. She also believes in the value of organization. A teacher’s classroom organization is important to the learning process. Miss LaSota also prefers to teach her students with hands on activities. She wants her kids to remain active learners.
I asked Miss LaSota how she would respond to a problem student. Someone who might say to her -- “You are the worst teacher I ever had.” Miss LaSota explained that she would speak with the student privately after class to find out why there was a problem. She would get the student to speak openly about what was on his or her mind, but ultimately see and reflect on the importance of the lesson she was teaching to that student’s life.
I also asked her how she might respond if a student would come to her and say: “None of the other students like me.” She would talk to the student’s other teachers and see if that’s also happening in their class, not just hers. For her teaching, she would plan more group activities, so the student can socially interact with other students in their class. If neither of her two options works, she would bring the counselor in and see if they could help out the student in need. Miss LaSota would also tell the student, “Being different is okay.”
When Miss LaSota was in high school, she didn’t play sports. She was the girl that just got along with everybody. At her school, there were cliques. She found her way into every one of them while still striving to be involved with various kinds of community services.
Outside of school, Miss LaSota lives a very active life. During her free time, she visits her sister in Maryland
Miss LaSota has a positive energy around her all of the time. Whenever I see her in the hallways, she always has a delightful smile on her face. She is very calm, never letting her anger get the best of her with her students. Her students will find that she is enjoyable to be around because of her great outlook of life.
Ms. LaSota Likes Pies
Deutsche Austausch Studierende
(German Exchange Student)
By: Elizabeth Brokenshire
Imagine stepping off a plane to an unfamiliar country where you’d attend school the following day, but in a completely different language. Franziska Lonnes did just that when she traveled from Germany to be a part of New Oxford High School
“It was tiring, stressful, and confusing to get here.” She came from Frankford , Germany to Washington , where she boarded again to finally arrive in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania
Before arriving to America,
Franziska’s favorite experience in the United States was her 16th birthday with her host family, in Gettysburg
Franziska can speak German, English, French, and has been learning Latin for six years. As you can see, she is very talented in speaking different languages. Franziska loves to travel and has been to England , Spain , Italy , France , Austria , China , and the Netherlands
“I have seen many unique things in America Hershey Park
There are similarities and differences between America and Germany Germany Germany
Unfortunately, Franziska is only staying until June, when she will continue her journey back to Germany
Michelle, Our Belle
By: Harley Miller
Thirty-eight year old Michelle Wagamen was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2009. On October 2nd, 2010 there was a walk of 15 laps around her development, a distance of seven miles, held in Michelle’s honor and as a thanks to her from her 9 year-old daughter, Olivia. Olivia came up with the idea to have a walk for her mother when her teacher was talking about going on a walk for cancer. Olivia wanted to join, but was not allowed to join since she was too young. This sparked the idea of having her own walk to raise money for her mom. Anyone could come, and it was for a good cause. Donations were greatly appreciated.
Everybody who came would give anything to help Michelle. The day of the walk was perfect, you couldn’t ask for a better day. It was clear day, full of sunshine and a cooling breeze. There were approximately 800 people, some of them family members who were dressed in teal shirts (Michelle’s cancer color) stamped with the message: “You can really use a wish right now!” Michelle’s family members started at the front of the walk, with Olivia in the lead. She started this walk and all of the rest of us followed. As we hit the bottom of the development to turn around in a loop, it was amazing to see all of the people coming towards you. Lauren Herring, Michelle’s sister in law, had a Skype link up so that Michelle could see all the people there who care about her.
After the walk, the family went to the Hanover Hospital
One of our family traditions is to give one another balloons on special occasions. After the walk was finished, family members gathered outside the hospital while Michelle looked down from her room and on the count of three, we let the balloons go with a loud and sincere -- “We Love You, Michelle!”
I said that I would do anything for Michelle, and this little remembrance is proof of how many of us feel about her.
