The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

New teachers, new positions, a new year

New+teachers%2C+new+positions%2C+a+new+year

Schools are a place of constant change and what with the budget cuts and teacher retirements, WLHS has seen its fair share of staff alterations. Two teachers, Cari Harris, Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher, and Dawn Ahlgren, learning specialist, have joined the staff mid-year.

Harris came to the school after a sudden announcement that Mike Lord was leaving for Oregon City. Though the notice was short, Harris quickly adapted to her position as the school’s new APUSH teacher.

She previously taught APUSH at David-Douglass High School in Portland and has a total of seven years of teaching under her belt. Harris went to college at George Mason University and earned her Master’s degree in teaching at Lewis & Clark. She is currently studying for a degree in political science on top of her current teaching load.

Encouraging her students to open their minds and not to stress about the new regime is a philosophy she constantly has to remind the class. Harris views the New Year as a chance for a fresh start.

“My first goal is to get a grasp on their writing styles and begin to shape a class that’s dynamic and interesting,” Harris said. “I’m excited to be teaching, for the new opportunity, and I love being in class with kids.

Born in Hawaii with a father in the Air Force, Harris has constantly moved from country to country, such as Japan and Ireland. Harris lives with her nine year old son and dogs, which she enjoys playing with at home. She looks forward to teach for the rest of this year and hopefully far into the future.

Dawn Ahlgren, a new learning specialist, has actually been part of the school for four years as an instructional substitute and student teacher. This year is her first year with her own classroom and her own class.

“I love having my own class, and I love West Linn,” Ahlgren said. “I want to continue to help out students who want to accomplish their goals.” Harris works with students of all grades who want to work on study skills, math foundations, and meet their academic goals.

Ahlgren also taught social studies at Three Rivers Charter School before coming to WLHS. She lives with her three children and two dogs, and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, canoeing and camping in all seasons. In fact, Ahlgren has hiked to the top of Mt. Hood which took about six and a half hours up and down.

Though staff transitions are initially confusing  and hectic, both teachers are quickly adapting to the WLHS environment. They are excited to be teaching and look forward to spending future years at WLHS.

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About the Contributor
Sarah Chung, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Not only is Sarah Chung a piano player, National Merit semi-finalist, tennis player and snowboarder, but she is a phenomenal writer and dedicated journalist. “Journalism is my favorite class, and I’m not just saying that because Ms. Breyne (Journalism Adviser) is standing right next to me,” Sarah Chung, senior, said. She had no idea that after joining the eighth grade journalism class at Athey Creek Middle School that she would be co-editor-in-chief of the West Linn High School Amplifier. As a senior enjoying the early release sixth period, she is starting to think about college. “I’m really excited, but also scared because it is almost over,” Chung said. “I am definitely going to make the most of this year.” Chung is interested in attending the University of Washington, University of North Carolina, Duke or the University of San Francisco to go into medical school. After going on a mission trip to Nicaragua, her lasting impressions of the doctors and how they were able to help the people in the country stuck with her. She now dreams of practicing medicine and going on frequent trips to help people in need, like the ones she saw in Nicaragua. Outside of her journalism life, Sarah Chung lives with her parents, Jonathan and Grace, her fourth grade brother, Nathan, and her Maltese, Mickey. She plays varsity tennis and enjoys driving around with her friends in one of their Volkswagen Bugs. She continues to play the piano, which she began when she was six years old. Chung was born in California on Groundhog’s Day, Feb. 2, and she moved to Oregon when she was only a couple months old. What Chung appreciates about Oregon is the seasonal changes.  “They must be distinct,” Chung said.  Winter is her favorite season because all the “good” things are in it.  Christmas, snowboards and snow.  She loves to go to the mountain and snowboard with her friends during winter. Chung is looking forward to her fourth year on the Amplifier providing great journalism to the students, staff and the community of West Linn.
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New teachers, new positions, a new year