Mrs. Cronin Mrs. Cronin majored in English and minored in Communication and Education and graduated from Xavier University. She aspired to become a teacher because she had fun and inspirational teachers throughout her life. She enjoys the energy of being around teens “even though they can be maddening at times.” She dislikes the paperwork and grading that teachers have to do, but she loves her job anyway. She has been teaching for 16 years, but if she had to choose a different profession, she would choose something in Medicine or Theater. Outside of her teaching day, she helps advise the Hope Club and she is a new Mock Trail advisor. She likes to read, walk her Golden Retriever, and hang out with her 3 awesome daughters and her husband. They are all addicted to reading and playing video games. She hopes she teacher her students to be kind to others, not to procrastinate, and not to give up when they are frustrated. |
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Mrs. Brittingham Mrs. Brittingham decided to become a teacher because she knew an office job would not be right for her. She likes to be active, associate with different people, and enjoys the creative control she has in class. Plus, she finds teaching to be fulfilling, and "nothing more rewarding than helping others." While she likes making a positive impact on people, she is not a big fan of distractions such as cell phones and having to descipline students. She coaches volleyball, softball, advises ski club, and likes to work out and be with friends and family. Mrs. Brittingham majored in Health & PE at Hanover College, and even spent a semester at the University of Wollongong in Australia. She tells her students to "make good choices! One choice can affect your whole life. If you happen to make a few bad ones, learn from them. We're all human." |
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Mrs. Long Mrs. Long majored in Integrated Science Education for 7th to 12th graders, and is currently working on her Masters of Science Education at Miami University. She chose to become a science teacher because of how her own science teachers influenced her in school, and wishes to do the same for her students. She likes how everyday is different being a teacher, but does not appreciate all of the grading she has to do. Although she started started college wanting to go to into the medical field, she realized it was not something she wanted to do on a daily basis, but now as an Anatomy and Physiology teacher, she gets both. In her spare time she likes to play volleyball, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family. |
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Miss Newell Miss Newell has always wanted to help others, either as a teacher or as a nurse. Since the sight of blood makes her sick, she could not be a nurse, and therefore decided to embark on a teaching career instead. She likes seeing students growing socially and academically, but does not enjoy having to wake up at 5:30 in the morning on a daily basis. In her spare time, she likes to read, travel, and spend time with her family and friends. Miss Newell majored in Education at Bowling Green State University, and received her teaching license from Notre Dame College. Her advice to students: "Bring your pencil to class!!" |
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Mrs. Ortega Mrs. Ortega became a teacher because she wants to make a difference, and has always wanted to be a teacher. She like to share her knowledge and passion for the Spanish language and culture with her students, but does not enjoy the numerious papers she has to grade. She likes to travel, participate in outdoor activities, and spend time with her family. Mrs. Ortega majored in Spanish at the University of Cincinnati, and received her Masters in Secondary Education from Xavier University. Initially, she wanted to become a math teacher like her mother, but after having a great Spanish professor, decided to pursue the Spanish language and culture instead. During college, she studied abroad in Mexico, and even moved to Costa Rica after graduating. She wants her "students to enjoy learning Spanish and want[s] them to realize the importance and relevance of learning a second language such as Spanish." |
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Mr. Planicka Mr. Planicka majored in Creative Writing at Bowling Green State University, and earned his teaching license and Masters in Education from Xavier University. An applied science teacher, he chose his career path "because [he] wanted to feel like [he] was doing something each day. That [his] work would have an impact on someone else . . .[by] teaching you get to help the people who matter most." Being there when one of his students has an "ah ha!" moment is one of his favorite things about teaching, and also likes to make his students laugh. What he does not like though is grading, paperwork, and having to wake up so early. Outside of school, Mr. Planicka likes to spend time with his family, including his twin daughters, and his friends, and enjoys writing poetry. He wants his students "to laugh, have fun, and make your mistakes your goals." |
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Mrs. Ruark Mrs. Ruark has always had a passion for helping others, and the time she spent in high school tutoring and teaching others influenced her decision to become a teacher. She loves getting to know her students, having conversations with them, and watching them grow both academically and personally, but would rather not have to grade papers. She enjoys traveling, being outside, and spending time with her family and dog, Charlie. Mrs. Ruark went to Miami University for her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education, and will be finishing her Masters in Secondary Education and Special Education from Xavier this summer. She teaches science in order to share her passion for the subject with her students, and would like to tell them to "be yourself. Don't be afraid to be wrong sometimes, as long as you remember to reflect back on your actions and learn form them." |
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Mr. Wyatt Mr. Wyatt always knew he was going to be a teacher. Since both his parents are teachers, he tried to convince himself he was not going to teach, but quickly found that he enjoyed tutoring friends in Math more than he did computer science. He majored in Adolescent math Education at Miami University, and minored in Computer Science. He teaches math because it is a subject he has always liked, and the "ah ha!" moments his students have "keep every day funa nd interesting." He does not like to grade papers, and spends warm weekends golfing. To his students he says, "Being able to solve problems, with certain rules and resources, makes you an invaluable employee no matter what you choose to do. Math can pretty much solve any problem, so the more you know the better!" |
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