By Chandler Beon

The Mirror Staff

By Amanda Godfrey

The Mirror
Features Editor

“You have to put yourself into situations that are uncomfortable in order to realize how you react in those situations, and I am learning a lot about myself in the classroom, which is cool.”

PEOPLE

A New Year Means New Staff

January 27, 2017

PEOPLE: With 2017 just starting, there have been changes to staff members for the English Language Development program.

PHOTO BY THERESA NGUYEN MIRROR STAFF

With a new year comes changes for the Van Nuys High School English Language Development program.

Ms. Robbie Wedeen, former ELD teacher, has become the school’s Newcomer Program Teacher Adviser.

The Newcomer Program was developed for new students enrolled for less than two years to adapt to the English speaking environment. Her new position allows her to supervise other ELD teachers and to aid in planning for the curriculum.

Ms. Wedeen has taught at Van Nuys High School for 18 years, earning her doctorate degree from Pepperdine University in 2014. She has prior teaching experience as an adult and elementary school teacher, an advisor, and a bilingual coordinator.

“I am very excited about this program,” said Ms. Wedeen. “I have an office, but I would rather be out in the classrooms working with the students, so I wouldn’t be using it much.”

Replacing Ms. Wedeen as an ELD teacher in Room 213 is Mr. Arlan Cashier, a newcomer to the VNHS faculty.

Mr. Cashir studied at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

After obtaining his English teaching credentials in 2016, he returned to his home state California and got his first job at VNHS. He accepted the position to take on a new challenge despite his lack of experience in teaching ELD.

“You have to put yourself into situations that are uncomfortable in order to realize how you react in those situations,” Mr. Cashier said. “I am learning a lot about myself in the classroom, which is cool.”

Mr. Cashier wishes to see his students improve and hopes that all of his students will learn and grow at similar rates.

He also looks forward to developing a strong relationship with his students.

“Of course, I’m concerned about their grades and how well they are performing in the class. It is also important to let my students know how much I care about them,” Mr. Cashier said. “I don’t just care about what is in the gradebook. I want to get to know them. I want them to know that I care for them.”

Ms. Wedeen may be leaving the classroom, but she will continue to work with Mr. Cashier and the other ELD teachers to help ESL newcomers adapt to VNHS and achieve their academic goals.

PHOTO BY THERESA NGUYEN MIRROR STAFF