Teachers Can, Do,...and Teach!

When the last school year ended, many might have been singing, “School’s out for summer!” But, for some who work in the hallowed halls (or in the trenches, literally, at Ukiah High during modernization), the lessons don’t end when summer begins.
Though teachers aren’t lined up fighting for summer school positions, several keep teaching to get students a step closer to graduation. I’m fortunate for the last twelve years that the Title VII program sends me off campus to work at the Tribal Learning Centers on area Native American rancherias or reservations.
Change of scene and coursework gives me at least some kind of break from the norm. Plus, it’s been a pleasure to go out and see old friends I’ve worked with over the years, watching these youngsters grow up to play integral roles in their tribes’ futures.
If teachers don’t teach, they don’t continue to get paid, since this district pays on a ten-month schedule. And, unlike yesteryear, seasonal jobs are hard to come by. If they’re fortunate to have other sources of income or contributions from a working spouse, it’s possible for those in education to totally pull up stakes and not give their classrooms another thought until late August.
However, many teachers stay in “teacher mode” for part of the summer at least. For example, they need to continue their professional development in order to maintain their credentials or climb the salary ladder. And we can use summer months for that (if we can afford the tuition or travel costs it often entails).
Computer Project instructor Jade Tippet learned how to teach Digital Animation in East Los Angeles for a few days, and math teacher Leslie Banta came back from an AP Calculus Institute this summer ready with some exciting ideas for her classes.
English teacher David Spain enjoyed touring the Steinbeck Center in Salinas, finding new inspiration to teach American Literature. US History instructor Natalie Perry “ate, slept and breathed real American history for nearly 3 weeks” as she toured buildings and monuments throughout historically-rich Eastern states.
Perry added, “I came home with a renewed love for my subject, great pride in my country, and total inspiration to share all I learned with my kids!”
Art teacher Pilar Crooks kept teaching in the summer, but it was a watercolor painting course (Create!) for fellow teachers; she also took some high school students to the coast to do some plein-air painting. Likewise, Journalism instructor Tonya Sparkes taught a summer course at Mendocino College, but also practiced what she teaches working part-time composing pages and writing occasional articles for the Ukiah Daily Journal.
To increase his gardening potential at home, Ag Science teacher Eric Crawford completed a new greenhouse. Contrary to the popular quote of G. B. Shaw, “He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches,” (very UNpopular with teachers) we often CAN do, yet still opt to teach.
A great example of that is Suzette Cook-Mankins, newly hired at Ukiah High last year to teach ROP Photography classes and Yearbook. Her professional calendar was packed this summer, including shooting former Vice President Mondale’s family holiday photo, accepting an invitation to do a call-in radio show for KZYX about photography, and continuing her regular Ukiah Daily Journal column “Frame by frame.”
For her personal business, Mankins also set up an online action photo website where customers order from her shots of local youngsters playing several different sports (www.mizdigitalsports.com). And to her personal satisfaction this summer, she cheered, “I finally got a great pic of the white deer up in Ridgewood!”
Other Fine Art instructors Denise Doering (music) and Maria Monti (drama) were busy providing excellent stage entertainment for our community in two summer performances. Monti played a role in the uproariously delightful and well-received “Urinetown – the Musical.” Singing, dancing and acting in the 14-performance run kept her occupied, but at home she worked on her Master’s coursework, plus completed major home improvement projects – great patio, Maria!
Denise’s singing and acting role in “The King and I” was heart-stirring, yet at times comical. As the king’s head wife, Lady Thiang, she contributed much to the audience’s enjoyment of the staged reading, accompanied by the wonderful Ukiah Symphony. Bunny Edwards, an Eagle Peak science teacher, performed the lead role beautifully as the British teacher who opted to go to Siam and teach the king’s children nearly 150 years ago.
Doering, the choral instructor at Ukiah High - plus Pomolita this year, has little time during the school year to perform; this summer opportunity was especially enjoyable to both her and Edwards. Plus, yours truly - who certainly doesn’t teach music, got a kick out of spraying my hair black, kowtowing to the king, shuffling barefoot onstage, and singing with his chorus of wives.
Now, we shuffle back into classrooms again…well, maybe not shuffle. Our newly-charged spirits help us greet over 100 new faces this fall. It’s an exciting challenge; we teachers will continue teaching, because we CAN.