Science teacher shares passion for preserving our environment and teaching

By Jose Garibay Cervantes

Ms. Krantz teaches science at Waldo and she also coaches volleyball. I asked her some questions about teaching and other things from her life.

Q: How old are you?

A: I am 31 years old.

Q: Why did you get into teaching science?

A:  I liked it a lot as a kid and in high school my 9th grade biology teacher told me I probably wasn’t cut out for science.  She implied it would be too hard for me.  I really wanted to prove her wrong.  So I studied chemistry, biology, and environmental education in undergrad and went on to work in salmon habitat restoration.   I collected data, worked with volunteers, took kids on field trips, dissected salmon, and worked on multimillion dollar projects to restore coastlines and local streams for salmon.

Q: What is your favorite beverage?

A: My favorite drink is tea – cold, hot, sweetened, unsweetened. I like it all.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Breakfast is my favorite meal and breakfast tacos are maybe my number one, but I change my mind all the time.

Q: Do you have any kids?

A: I do not have any kids, but I do have a very cute dog named Rio. He is two years old and is an Australian Shepherd / border collie mix – we do a lot of hiking, backpacking, and fishing together.

Q: Do you have a husband or boyfriend?

A: I have a partner who I have been with for 6 years.  His name is Troy and he works as a Fish Biologist for the National Park Service. 

Q: What interests you most about teaching science?

A: I always loved to go camping with my family and I would collect frogs and ask questions and really liked learning new things about the natural world. Discovery!  I want other people to care about our natural environment as much as I do and I think that starts with education! Students are the future and I want them to build a future with clean water, fresh air, and lots of wildlife!

Career Exploration teacher enjoys classroom, but would appreciate a water fountain

 

by Ezran Crain

Clark Looney is the Career Exploration teacher and he is one of the first people a yearbook student has interviewed.  He was asked many questions and he gave great answers. 

Question: ”What would you be if you weren't a teacher?”

Answer: “I would be an IT specialist or I would be running a small computer business.”

Question: “If you weren't teaching Career Exploration, then what would you be teaching?”

Answer: “I'd be teaching high school business.”

Question: ”Why did you become a teacher?”

Answer: ”I wanted a job that allowed me to stay close to home because my other job made me move around a lot.” 

Question: “Why are you teaching at a middle school?”

Answer: “The kids could still be interested in learning and they are mature.”

Question: “Do you like teaching?”

Answer: “Most days when students are on task, but yes overall.”

Question: “What do you dislike about teaching?”

Answer: “I don't like managing behaviors. I don't want to be a parent.”

Question: “Do you like your classroom or do you want a different one?”

Answer: “This is my favorite class, but I would add another module and I would add a water fountain.”

Math teacher discusses career possibilities, video game interests, and more

 

By Alejandra Garcia Villalobos

Ms. Danae currently teaches math at Waldo Middle School, but she has thought about other career options.

Have you ever wondered what a teacher would do if they weren't teaching? You will find out in this interview.

Question: “If you weren't a teacher what would you be?”

Answer: “I would be a cop because I enjoy the thrill of getting people in trouble and the adrenaline.”

Question: “If you weren't at school at this moment what would you be doing?”

Answer: “I would be at home playing World of Warcraft.”

Question: “What do you like and dislike about your job?”

Answer: “I like the connections I make with students and I like hanging out with Mr. Harrison. I dislike that I work more hours than I'm paid.”

Question: “What are your hobbies?.”

Answer: “My hobbies are photography, video games, and reading. I think that's pretty much it. I’m kind of boring.”

Question: “What's your favorite thing to photograph?” 

Answer: “ Portraits of people are my favorite because I like to capture a significant portion of time for that person. The more artistic the better.”

I hope you found your answer to “What would a teacher do if they weren't teaching?” within this interview.

While world keeps spinning, The Roots and family help hold life together

 By Jason Jones

Although the super fun, ultra dynamic Nickelodeon show Yo Gabba Gabba ended in 2015, its memory continues online and there are many jewels to discover while web surfing. One shining diamond that stands out is “Lovely, Love my Family” by Philadelphia-based hip hop artists The Roots. They’re a perfect fit for the show.

Clocking in at just over two minutes, The Roots pack this video with positive lyrics about how “when the world is spinning” you sometimes just want to go back in time and be with the people who will always have your back and will always love you, your family. DJ Lance Rock and the Yo Gabba Gabba crew dance their hearts out throughout, and The Roots give this upbeat tune everything they’ve got. It goes by so fast that you might watch twice to catch all the positive vibes. Highly recommended for everyone. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Principal Ingrid Ceballos gives Waldo a “code green” for great!

By Hannako Langimeo

  Principal Ingrid Ceballos loves her new job as principal at Waldo Middle School, but she is sometimes busy. She was a principal at Four Corners Elementary before heading up to Waldo. Mrs. Ceballos loves working at this school, and she also loves diversity. Before coming to Salem she grew up in Los Angeles, California.

    Her first day of being the new principal at Waldo was fast and busy, she said, adding that it is hard being a principal at a new school because of all the new faces of staff and students you have to get used to. It also takes time getting used to all the emails and the meetings.

    A few students have been sent to her office this month, but overall September has gone smoothly.

“Waldo is the best middle school in the district,” Mrs. Ceballos said. “It is a great opportunity to work with diverse populations.”

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Waldo social worker loves to help people

By The Mustangs Mirror Staff

    Waldo Social Worker Monique Jalca was the first staff member to visit with The Mustangs Mirror class this month, and students had a lot of questions for her. As she starts her second year at our school, she looks forward to continuing her work to assist others.

    “I love to help out people that need help,” Jalca said. “Sometimes it’s hard for people when they feel alone.”

    Jalca’s job takes her beyond the walls of Waldo to home visits and check-ins with families throughout our community. She loves to get involved, and the only thing that she dislikes is that sometimes there are limitations to how much she can change things.

    Originally from Los Angeles, Jalca moved to Keizer as a child where she attended Whitaker and McNary. Her last two years of high school were at North. Jalca and her husband have two sons, and the family enjoys spending time outdoors together. Other hobbies include reading and running with her black labrador retriever.

    While she was still a teenager, Jalca said she obtained early experience connected to social work by volunteering at a clinic that performs ultrasounds for pregnant women. She enjoyed making connections, so after earning a bachelors in Communications at Oregon State she went on to earn her Masters in Social Work at Portland State University. The work can be challenging, but she is up for the challenge even when it seems complicated.

    “I try to see things from different angles,” she said.

    Students peppered Jalca with questions after they learned about her job, and the class learned that she has not seen Breaking Bad but she did watch Coco and she liked it. She loves Mexican food, and noted that taquitos and Coke are among her favorite items in a meal.

    Another favorite for Jalca is Waldo Middle School itself, she said. While she certainly has options, is quite happy with our school.

    “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” she said.