Each new year here at the high school, there are new faces to welcome and get to know. From passing classmates in the halls, to most importantly the teachers in front of you. Entering the new year, there are multiple new and returning teachers to meet.
There are four teachers taking on new roles this year. Introducing the newest teachers, Ian McGuckin, whom you can call Mr. Mac, is teaching Pre-AP 9 English and AP Seminar. Taking on social studies we have Andrew Barksdale who is teaching US History and Economics. Allison Slenk is the new gym teacher, taking up Advanced Personal Fitness class. Lastly, we have Julie Duffy who will greet you every time you enter the attendance office.
Welcoming Allie Slenk into our athletics, she is our new fitness and education teacher coming from Calvin University. Slenk has felt enthusiastic about her first year teaching and appreciates the new community.
“Coming to Northview I was super excited. I’ve heard a ton of great things about it from alumni, friends, and people in the area,” said Slenk, “I was super excited to be here and I love getting to know the students and staff. The students are great. I’ve been loving getting to know them.”
bachelor’s and master’s from there. Slenk was encouraged and inspired by her friends and alumni to come to the high school. Photo courtesy of Allie Slenk
Not only has Slenk felt inspired by the staff and students surrounding her, she has been able to apply her own knowledge to her classroom.
“I’m teaching intro to personal fitness, intro to education and advanced personal fitness. The first month of school has been great,” said Slenk, “I have a lot to learn, but it’s been fun to see what I did learn in college, and being able to apply that to my classroom.
Looking deeper into Ian McGuckin and his journey leading to Northview, he shares his broad interests and his love for various subjects, such as French! Through the years at Grand Valley, McGuckin shares his path on how he decided on language arts.
“This is year one, besides student teaching. Before Northview, I was in college at Grand Valley, pursuing a major in English secondary education,” said McGuckin. “I liked to bounce around through a couple of other subjects. I am really interested in political science, creative writing, French, English language learning and history. My grandmother is from France and I lived there for a little while when I was younger, so I am close to fluent.”
McGuckin graduated with a BA ( Bachelor of arts) in
Secondary English Education. Photo courtesy of Ian McGuckin.
McGuckin is enjoying his first weeks at Northview and shares his admiration for the environment, community, and the amazing staff.
“The staff has a really solid rapport with one another. The [english] department is really supportive and everyone’s very kind and willing to share lots of collaboration,” said McGuckin. “I think the way our district is set up sets us up for that collaboration. I really enjoy our delayed start Wednesdays, they are fantastic.”
Coming from another brand new staff, our new social studies teacher Mr. Barksdale is experiencing his first year teaching here at the high school. Though this is his first job as a teacher, he spent years before doing similar work as a long-term substitute.
“I spent the 2 years before this as a long-term substitute at Coopersville high school, and that’s where I also did my college internship,” said Barksdale., “I had been there [Coopersville] for almost 3 years and then I ended up here. I liked Coopersville, but I’m liking Northview a little better.”
With an Associates degree Secondary in Education and teaching.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Barskdale.
Compared to his past experiences in teaching, Barksdale emphasizes his wonderful first few weeks at the high school. Coming to a new environment can be nerve-wracking, but Barksdale has had no complaints.
“The kids seem very engaged, especially considering that across education in general there’s kind of an apoplectic disease with children,” said Barksdale, “The kids here are so engaged and much more prepared and ready to participate. It’s so inspiring to see as a new teacher and be able to work with that.”
Not only does Barksdale admire the students attentiveness, the building itself and joyous community made him excited and eager to be a part of it.
“I enjoy the design of the school. It’s designed really well. I like the class rooms, the cafeteria, really everything,” said Barksdale, “I think a broader thing is the community here. It’s my first time experiencing the blackout week, leading up to the football game for pediatric cancer. It just seems like it’s such a great community here.”
As the year progresses and you pass these faces in the hallways, smile and bring a warm welcome to new teachers. The high school is honored and beyond excited to see what the new teachers bring to the community.
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