Dobson High School - Equus Yearbook (Mesa, AZ)

Page 182 text:

Spanish teacher Mrs. Betty Schiele in- structs Elizabeth Gomez on an assign- ment during fourth hour Spanish I. John Schildknecht asks his French teacher. Mrs. Sur Kaesler, to define a word for him during fourth hour French. Buffy Brown argues with Spanish teacher Mr. Ray Kartchner on how to pronounce bueno during fourth hour Spanish I. Cramming for an upcoming Spanish test, Christina Murray, freshman, quickly reviews her textbook and notes. 164 Forolgn Longuogo Academics

Page 181 text:

Freshman David Taylor uses a dictionary for an assignment in Mr. Maher's fourth hour English class. LaVonda Lamoni listens attentively while she takes notes in her fourth hour English class. Enrollment Surges English and Reading Expand Curriculum Variety and numbers, both of these items grew immensely in the English and reading departments this year. The reading department added more text- books and workbooks, as wel as hired a new teach- er aide, Lois Gerhart, to help out. The Engish depart- ment took advantage of A and seventh hours to meet demands of an enlarged student body. New English teachers Mr. Farrier, Mrs. Hoefner, and Mr. Zink, as well as returning teachers Mrs. Brenden and Mr. Maher were added. Even with more help, the increased enrollment was hindered by increased classroom numbers. Mr. Juni- per, the reading teacher, felt that the remedial reading classes were the largest ever. The goals of both departments stuck to the basics. English teachers cont'mualy stressed the basic gram- mar and writing skills, even in AA and advanced placement courses. Reading students were encour- aged to double their reading growth each semester, using self-dscipline and self-responsibity. As usual the students disliked the homework given in their Engish and reading courses. Yet, they ad- mitted that they were learning something. As one student put it, “The teachers know what they are doing, and they are getting the best out of us. I'm really improving my skis. The back-to-basics teach- ing methods helped students to relearn some of the grammar, writing, and punctuation techniques that many of them had not seen since sixth or seventh grade. Even though English and reading departments faced crowded conditions, they managed to do their best in making students understand the skills needed in those subjects. The students got more knowledge from the great effort that the teachers contributed. Design by Jennifer McConnell. Photos by Dawn Mohney. Engllsh Roodlng Acadomlcj

Page 183 text:

Foreign Language Thrives on Student Interest Building on a strong program set up last year, the six foreign language teachers set out trying to im- prove over each year. New texts were adopted by al four levels of French. Spanish classes worked on the annual mock Spanish wedding as well as visiting a few local fiestas. Many students took two years or more of a foreign language to fulfi admission requirements for colege. I took three years of French because many colleges and universities either require or look favorably on at least two years of a foreign language, explained Maria Schaffer, a senior. Another reason for increased student interest in higher levels of foreign language was the new scho- lastic diploma offered by the district this year, which required at least two years of a foreign language. Because of the big jump in the number of students taking first and second year French, a new teacher was added this year. Shelly Tarpinian taught two hours of first year French and then returned to Rhodes Junior High to teach three hours of English. Department head Mr. Kartchner cited his depart- ment's best resource as its teachers. All our teach- ers are fluent with the languages that they teach, are very dedicated and sincere, and they all have a great sense of humor, which is most important. Design by Michael Stuart. Photo by Dawn Mohney. Foreign Language Acodemlcj 165