Teacher Appreciation Columns

It’s common knowledge that kids don’t like math. However, Mrs. Mons’s classroom is an escape from this reality. At the beginning of this year, her classroom was filled with doubtful students uneasy about the challenging subject ahead of them but through her support and teaching style she made a difficult math class easy. Mons has a bachelor's degree in science and mechanical engineering and was ...

From puppetry to potato facts to funny jokes, Ms. Sherman’s class has it all. Many times she has told stories about going on spontaneous road trips, or about her experience putting on puppet shows. We will never forget the time she introduced her polar bear puppet, Morris, to the class. While some teachers get grumpy as the day go on, Ms. Sherman’s energy never seems to go down. She is genui...

Whether you’re stressed for a test or simply having a bad day, you can count on Señora Silva to make you laugh and feel better. Silva has been a Spanish teacher at City High for nine years and has enjoyed getting to connect with students and watch them expand their skills in the Spanish language. One of my favorite things about Silva is that she is always in a good mood and how it reflects in her...

“She is probably one of the sweetest, most reliable, amazing people that I’ve ever met. She is always there when you have a question and 99.9 percent of the time she has the answer. Without her, our music program would be a mess. We love her so much, and would be completely lost without her.” –Sophia Surom ‘20 “It was so awesome that she came on the Italy trip, Our assigned chaperone...

Dr. Grove has been an instructor and friend to countless people throughout his 30 years in the Iowa City Community School District. He currently directs the Little Hawk Singers, advanced women's ensemble, and the select men's group called Männerchor. He works incredibly hard every day and still manages to be one of the most genuine, nicest people you will ever meet. When I first met Dr. Grove,...

Ever wondered how to balance school, work, and family life? Well, just ask Havilah Peters, a City High School english teacher and drama department director. Mrs. Peters started working at City High four years ago and has been working to improve City High’s drama and English departments. She has been involved with directing multiple plays including Mary Poppins, Charlotte's Web, Little Shop Of Horrors, and most rec...

There are many reasons why students enjoy and appreciate Nathan Hellwig’s classes. He has always had a love of learning anything and everything about the Civil War and all areas of American History. He shares this love of history with his students in many ways, from going on roadtrips to attend historical events in the south, to taking kids outside and teaching them how to drill like soldiers duri...

There are many reasons why Ms. Sotillo is so amazing. Earlier within the year, I was contemplating whether I wanted to stay in school for four full years or graduate early, Ms. Sotillio took time out of her day to give pros and cons to both. She has also gotten me to enjoy the subject of English as opposed to previous years with previous teachers. With all this being said I could not thank Ms.  Sotillo...

Jason Schumann quit his job as a lawyer six years ago to pursue teaching and has since been renowned as an AP World History teacher and mock trial coach.   “I a lot of people ask me why I went from being a lawyer to becoming a teacher and I find it interesting why people don’t ask me the opposite question,” Schuman said.  “I find teaching much more rewarding both personally and professio...

Ellis Chen This year was my second year of taking a class taught by Dr. Ayers. Although most of us have had a variety of commitments, Dr. Ayers has made coping with the mildly hellish nature of junior year easier with his class. There is also a level of freedom that has surely helped me be more prepared for open-ended questions in college. When we read texts outside of class, there is some fl...

It’s not easy to start a school day - you’re groggy, tired, and don’t want to do anything at all in the morning! That’s why I’m fortunate to have such a charismatic teacher as Mrs. Sherman first period to wake me up and get me into the learning mood! She’s not just an interesting person, Mrs. Sherman also an exceptional teacher. She teaches in a way that isn’t just a copy of what the...

If you asked me what my favorite class was any year of my school life I would have said science or history . This year however I would say English and that is because of my teacher, Haley Johannesen, who makes English engaging and fun. It makes you excited to go to her class. Johannesen is an English 10 and US Lit teacher in room 1101. When you walk into her room you can feel the excitement aro...

If you’re looking for a teacher that is always in good mood and can never fail to make even the most stubborn student laugh, look no further than Mr. Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon is fueled by coffee and a passion for biology. He not only gives 100 percent to his teaching but also helping students. “ He can be really entertaining at times and his teaching style is good [for me].” Sophia Strathern ...

I met Mr. Welp on orientation day before the school year started. I started to ask him some questions when he told me he was just as new as I was to City. I was the only one in his classroom since most people at orientation were freshmen and he teaches chemistry, so we just talked for a while. I knew that I was excited to have Mr. Welp as a teacher, and my prediction was confirmed once school start...