About a week before the new school year started, one of Berlin High School’s three tech ed teachers, Chris Much, handed in his resignation. Much had about 90+ students this semester in various courses, such as Engines 1, 2, and 3, Consumer Math, and DIY Living. With his resignation, arrangements had to be made to keep the classes going.
One of the teachers who has stepped up to help is math teacher Angie Clark. Clark has taken responsibility for teaching Consumer Math.
“Consumer Math is a course designed to get high school students thinking about their financial futures. It offers them tools and strategies to guide them in the right direction to help avoid costly financial errors,” Clark said.
Clark is going to be teaching this class the whole semester. But, Clark said that she wouldn’t mind teaching the class for the rest of her career. She says she feels passionate about this class and believes that all students should be taking this class because what is taught is something that students will need every day for the rest of their lives.
Another teacher that has stepped up to help is tech ed teacher Bret Steffen. Steffen took on DIY Living and had to give up his prep hour. This was a class that he actually created, but never taught until now. Steffen also combined a few classes which added more students to his other classes.
“My biggest class is 21 students, average is probably about 16. For safety, tool availability, and space reasons we try to keep shop classes at 16, so some courses are pretty tight,” Steffen said.
Steffen will most likely be teaching these classes for the rest of the year.
“The kids in Berlin are great, so I don’t mind trying to help out and keep classes available to them,” Steffen said.
Berlin High School Principal Bryant Bednarek has been searching for a replacement ever since Much handed in his resignation. However, it takes time to find the right person for the job. In the meantime Mark Trampf, one of the two teachers that work in the Focus Building, has been coming over to teach Small Engines.
Before that Bednarek was teaching the class, making lesson plans late at night from other teachers’ notes to prepare for the next day of class. As the high school’s principal, it was a change for him to be back in the classroom.
“Actually to start the school year, it’s always a stressful time, right? Taking on something else at short notice is stressful. But, also as I got into it I think it was rejuvenating, kind of invigorating because I miss the classroom,” Bednarek said.
During the class one of the students that Bednarek had was senior Anthony Spingola.
“One of the seniors that I have known, and was nice to see in a different light, was Anthony Spingola. It was fun having him in class, and really helping other students. And being a leader in a class that is probably half freshman,” Bednarek said.
Bednarek has found a way to make the situation as best as it can be with the tools he has available. Bednarek said this will most likely happen again with the shortage of teachers. But, the staff of Berlin High School will figure it out and do what is best for its students.
“BHS Rocks!” Steffen said.
Corrected on Oct. 1, 2024: We mistakenly said that Consumer Math could return to the Tech Ed department. This class can only be taught in the Math Department.
