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Show The Park Record A-10 Colorado teacher honored for bilingual work with students Award recognizes people who are community leaders The Aspen Times BUBBA BROWN/PARK RECORD Kathleen Waller was once a student in Charlie Matthews’ physics class. Now, Waller has replaced him as the AP physics teacher at Park City High School. Two decades later, a bond between educators evolves Teacher says its an honor to make way for former student By BUBBA BROWN The Park Record Charlie Matthews knew immediately that Kathleen Waller had a rare aptitude for physics. He just had no idea she’d one day replace him. Sitting together during Waller’s prep period in her classroom at Park City High School, they reminisced. It started in the 1996-97 school year, when Waller became the first Advanced Placement physics student in the school’s history. Matthews, early in his tenure as a science teacher at PCHS, didn’t have enough students interested in physics for an entire AP course. Instead, he helped Waller work through a collegelevel physics text book while she served as his teaching assistant. “I’d taken his regular class the year before and I loved it,” she said. “I wanted so bad to take AP physics, but there wasn’t a class.” Wed/Thurs/Fri, September 6-8, 2017 Waller’s passion and talent for physics was clear. With the help of Matthews’ guidance, she studied the subject at the University of Utah and ultimately became a professional physicist, operating telescopes in southern Arizona. But the course of her career changed six years ago when a physics teacher position opened at Park City High School. Waller, who wanted to combine her physics background with an interest in teaching that had developed as a part-time ski instructor, applied for the job. Matthews lobbied hard for her because he saw the need for someone who could eventually take over the AP physics program, which had since flourished following her graduation. “Kathleen was a very natural choice for that,” he said. “The other applicants were just not up to that level at all.” Matthews’ mentorship resumed when Waller joined the PCHS staff. She spent spare periods observing his class, soaking it in and learning how he commanded a classroom. Before long, she found her footing in the profession and quickly transitioned to teaching a handful of AP courses. When Matthews took on a new role as the district’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) coordinator two years ago, Waller was a natural fit to replace him. Nearly two decades after their friendship formed, the circle was complete and it didn’t take long for her to put her own mark on the physics program. In one class last year, her students bested the highest average AP test score Matthews’ classes had ever achieved. He is quick to admit that seeing her success makes him proud. “It’s so neat, knowing Kathleen from the time she was a young teenager to see her now, fully evolved into a wonderful teacher,” he said. “She’s going to take the program I started here to a whole other level than I could have ever imagined. And that’s an honor.” For her part, Waller simply hopes to live up to Matthews’ example. She wants to make a lasting impression on the students who come through her classroom door each day. “I see myself doing this for the rest of my life,” she said. “And I love having that daily reward, every single class period, when you see a student or multiple students that are getting it. The joy you can see on their faces is so rewarding.” Carbondale Middle School’s Mary Hernandez was recently awarded the English as a Second Language Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Association for Bilingual Education. According to a Roaring Fork Schools statement, the award recognizes leaders, outstanding teachers and advocates for bilingualism, biculturalism and biliteracy, who play active and useful roles in their communities and schools. Recipients also have a “proven ability to inspire emerging bilingual students of various backgrounds to excel. “This award was made for Mary,” said Amy Fairbanks, director of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education for the district, who nominated Hernandez for the award. Hernandez has been with the district and at CMS for 10 years. She grew up in Denver and was attracted to teaching at an early age. While preparing for her secondary English teacher licensing, she was inspired to study Spanish and Latin American culture along with wider interracial, social and cultural issues, according to the district statement. She always keeps the students’ best interests in mind and approaches teachers with openness and flexibility. … We are blessed to have her on our team.” Jennifer Lamont Carbondale Middle School Principal CMS Principal Jennifer Lamont wrote a letter of recommendation for Hernandez, saying, “She always keeps the students’ best interests in mind and approaches teachers with openness and flexibility. … We are blessed to have her on our team. “Mary is a phenomenal teacher. Her technique and style are a perfect match for emerging bilingual students, and she gives teaching her whole heart.” Fairbanks noted in her nomination that, three years ago, Hernandez created English language development units particularly geared toward newcomers, which were then adopted districtwide and served as a platform to collaborate with other schools for future units. Fairbanks describes Hernandez as being a generous educator who always is willing to share information and resources. “Mary’s a leader: she is at the forefront of using researchbased methods. It shows with the growth in language development that her students have gained,” Fairbanks said. “I think that collaboration is really the lifeblood of the teaching profession,” Hernandez said. Hernandez points back to her own struggles in learning a second language and navigating a foreign culture as shaping her educational perspective and empathetic approach to her students. “I love teaching and working with all students, but my passion lies in working with newcomer emerging bilingual learners. They capture my adoration and highest respect as they tackle the challenges of acquiring a new language, culture, and academic content,” Hernandez said. Hernandez will be honored along with others who have contributed to the education of Colorado’s Emerging Bilingual Students at the CABE 2017 Awards Gala in Denver on Sept. 20. Collegians from Park City encouraged to compete below will receive a cash prize of $2,500.00. Submitted by Mary Kay Lazarus In conjunction with the 12th Annual McCarthey Family Foundation Lecture Series: In Praise of Independent Journalism that will feature David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker magazine, students at colleges and universities (undergraduate and graduate) in Utah are invited to submit an original essay of 500 words. The winning essayist on the topic listed • Essay Topic: In a letter dated May 30, 1973 about the Watergate story, Ben Bradlee wrote, “As long as a journalist tells the truth, in conscience and fairness, it is not his job to worry about consequences. The truth is never as dangerous as a lie in the long run. I truly believe the truth sets men free.” • Entry Requirements: Email a Word document, typed and double-spaced, to mkl@mklpr. com. All entries must include student’s name, phone number, email address and name and department of the university or college in which the student is currently enrolled. Essays may be submitted any time prior to the September 22, 2017 deadline. Members of the Jury include a number of local newspaper editors and reporters. Remnick will deliver a lecture Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7:00 p.m. at Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City. The lecture is open to the public at no charge. The winning essayist will be announced at that time and the essay printed in the evening’s program. HELP KEEP PARK CITY GREEN & CLEAN Look for Green Tips every Wednesday in The Park Record for ways to be eco-friendly in your daily lives. |