Dana Hills High School - Mast Yearbook (Dana Point, CA)

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Phillip to his students in chemistry and astronomy. His heartfelt love for teaching makes his lectures enjoyable and his lessons fun to learn. The only surprise in his selection as Teacher of the Year is that it didn ' t come sooner. As a teacher I have a great opportunity to have a powerful effect on the minds of students ... It is my duty to set the creative pattern which nurtures their natural qualities and restores an enthusiastic interest for learning . , . However important are the things I say, what is the good of it, if neither heard nor felt? Evidence of Mr. Cunningham ' s effectiveness as an instructor is seen in the success of his A. P. Chemistry program, the only such program in the school district. Cunningham is very happy with the rewards given him by the educational system, but he also sees changes which should be made: Teachers must be in control of standards of excellence in their profession. They must watch over the quality of the profession, its members, its preparation programs, and its support systems. The compensation of teachers must be commensurate with their experience, responsibilities, demon.strated competence, and performance, not seniority. Class size must be reduced to manageable levels. Cunningham concluded, Learning has been a delight to me. Being happy in my career as well as my personal life renews my enthusiasm in my teaching each day. Hopefully, education will continue to be a mutually rewarding experience for me and my students. 1. LIKE FATHER. LIKE SON-Christopher Cunningham t.ikcs after his father in both appearance, and, apparently, interesti. 2. Mr. Cunningham takes time out to help Heather Maxwell with her chemistry. i. A camera from KDOC records Mr. Smith ' s chat with f)rani e County ' s Teacher of the Year. Greg McBride Leo Quirk Debbie Watt Science 59 A

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Leigh Baker Aline Bethke Barbara Burton .tuaents Learn Survival Skills Before teachers become teachers, they must all spend some time as student teachers, learning the basics of course instruction and how to handle students. Four of Dana Hills ' student teachers were Carole Ramsey, Sita Gorski, Judi Lahey, and Toby Earl. Ms. Ramsey, who has gotten a late start in her career, chose the field because I discovered that I enjoyed teenagers during the time that my four children were all teenagers. Ramsey studied at UCLA, UCI, and Western State in attaining her degree in English. Her most interesting moment as a student teacher was when I allowed the students in my Inter. Comp class to collaborate and write a story-with no restrictions. When asked why she chose teaching as a profession, Ms. Gorski replied, The money, definitely the money . . . Seriously- it ' s the only profession where you can try to make a difference and see the resuhs of your efforts. Of the experience she said, Some days are incredibly wonderful; others are not so hot. On the whole, there is nothing I ' d rather be doing than teaching. She previously taught at a Catholic girls ' school in Chicago. Like Gorski, Ms. Lahey decided to teach for the money, but also for the fame. It ' s been an experience! she says emphatically. I ' ll always remember cleaning up mercury spills, clearing CH gas from the lab, grading science papers, writing lesson plans, working in the science office, repeating answers 214 times, and getting writer ' s cramp from writing on the board! Mr. Earl enjoys most the personal feeling of satisfaction, lifestyle, and academic satisfaction of teaching. He added, I am fortunate to have outstanding Master Teachers like Ms. Bright, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Simmons. Young at heart, this student teacher ' s most interesting experience was simply being addressed as ' Mr. Earl. ' 1. Ms. Lahey prepares for the next day ' s Chemistry lab. 2. Master Teacher Jim Ferguson critiques the teaching techniques of Mr. Earl. }. Jason Turner. John Gladson and James Van Lier get help on their essays from Ms. Ramsey. 4. The paperwork is the only negative part of leaching for Ms. Gorski, who enjoys her biology class. 5. Ms. Malone ' s other talents (other than teaching) include bicycling from Seattle to Maine through the Canadian Rockies and around the Great Lakes.