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Between art and volleyball, Ms. Bury keeps busy at Waldo

 

By Jose Cervantes Garibay

Q: What made you an art teacher?

A: I loved art since I was very young and studied it in college.  When I decided to become a teacher, I studied how to teach art, but it was very hard to get teaching jobs at the time, so I also studied language arts instruction and ELD, as well as upper elementary grades just in case.  I started at Waldo teaching language arts but got to move to art in my 2nd year when the current art teacher went to North. I never thought I could get my dream job so soon, but I am so thankful I did.  It is an amazing subject to teach, especially at Waldo where kids are so talented and creative.

Q: What inspired you to play volleyball?

A: My mom, Mrs. Bury-Roller, signed me up in 6th grade to help me make friends. It didn’t work. However, in high school, volleyball was how I met my best friend, so I guess it worked eventually.  After high school, I didn’t play again for many years until a Waldo staff-student game. The head coach at the time saw how I played and said I could be a great coach.  When a coaching slot opened up, I tried it out, and had a lot of fun! You never know when stuff you try in middle school will come back to your life. Volleyball is a really fun sport to play and in Trimester 3, Volleyball Club will be running and anyone can play and have a great time.

Waldo teacher loves baking, cats, Pokemon, and more

 

By Hannako Langimeo

Beyond her day job as an English Language Arts teacher, Ms. Shimojima has a number of hobbies that keep her occupied. She enjoys baking, reading, playing with her cats, and running an afterschool club at Waldo for fans of Pokemon. Her favorite characters are Umbreon, Sylveon, and Bubasau. That is also was she named her cats.

When she was younger, Ms. Shimojima wanted to be a soccer player. However, she realized that she had more talent for teaching so she pivoted towards a career in education instead. This is her fourth year teaching. She worked as a substitute in Beaverton before coming to work at Waldo.

Born and raised in California, Ms. Shimojima also lived in Corvallis for five years and Portland for one year. She is not sure exactly how long she will live in Salem, but for now Waldo is a good fit.

“I like Waldo because of how the teachers are nice and passionate about their work,” Ms. Shimojima said. “I love getting along with everyone.”

Sergeants share stories about service to their country

 

By Hannako Langimeo and The Mustangs Mirror staff

Students at Room 205 last week learned about opportunities available through the US Army during a visit from Sergeant Saucedo (left) and Sergeant Gamboa, two recruiters currently working in Salem. Gamboa highlighted her experience as a paratrooper and jumpmaster, as well as her role helping to organize supply deliveries. Saucedo spoke about her somber and important work in mortuaries. While both soldiers are seasoned veterans, everyday can be a new adventure.

“I’ve jumped out of airplanes 27 times total and I still get nervous,” Gamboa said. “I’m scared of heights, but it’s a different kind of height.”

The women spoke about the benefits of serving, including free college, free healthcare, and an opportunity to travel the world. Gamboa said that her favorite place to go was Israel, while Saucedo said that her favorite was Hawaii. They showed a map with stars indicating all the places they have been across the globe.

Saucedo said that tending to dead bodies is rewarding, but it can also take a toll. 

“It can be scary when it’s two in the morning and you’re the only one there at the mortuary,” she said.

Both soldiers are thinking about what they will do after serving, but they are glad to have options thanks to their time in the armed forces.

“I like it because it’s fun and I get paid to have fun,” Gamboa said. “If it ever gets boring, then that’s when I’ll leave.”

Campus Safety Monitor enjoys helping kids and maintaining tranquility

Reporter Lizbeth Leon-Constantino spoke recently with Abenamar “Benny” Ramirez to speak with him about his work with Campus Safety at Waldo Middle School. Read further to learn what she found out.

By Lizbeth Leon-Constantino

Q: Do you like being a security guard? And why?

A: I do, it just keeps me busy, it's fun, and I can be a role model.

Q: Do you like stopping fights?
A: It's fun, but I don't want to but I have to.

Q: Why did you become a security guard?
A: To become a role model and be able to help kids. 

Q: What would you do if you weren't a security guard?
A: I would be a delivery guy or I would probably work in juvie.  

Q:If you could choose what school you could work in, what school would it be?
A: Waldo. I love working here, and all the kids here grew up the same as I did.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Work in the district and work with high-risk kids.

Math teacher appreciates respect and timeliness

 

Ezran Crain spoke with Mrs. Virden to find out more working as a math teacher at Waldo.

By Ezran Crain

Mrs. Virden is a math teacher that always wants to help students grab all the opportunities that are given to them even if it means being stern. All she wants is to see her students succeed.

Q:  What's your favorite part of teaching?

A: My favorite part of teaching is working with the students.

Q: What’s your least favorite part of teaching?

A: My least favorite part of teaching is working with the adults.

Q: If you weren't teaching math what other subject would you be teaching?

A: I would be teaching science because I like science and I actually used to teach science.

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

A: I would be a camp director at a national park.

Q: Why did you become a teacher?

A: I became a teacher for the kids.

Q: Why do you grade the way you do?

A: I grade to help the kids and so the kids can get many opportunities for an A.

Q: How do you feel about students being late to your class?

A: Students being late to class bugs me because it's kind of disrespectful and it interrupts others as well as your own learning time.

Shadow is my cat

 

By Nina Mejia

My cat named Shadow

Likes to run 

Likes to meow a lot 

Likes to stare at me

Likes to sleep with me

Likes to be pet

Eats lots of cat food

Watches out for squirrels

Stays in the house

Sits by the window

I love my cat Shadow

He is always there for me

Undertale provides players a chance to explore new frontiers and learn that actions do have consequences

 

By Breanna Stubblefield

Undertale is a role-playing game where you play as a child that falls into the underground, where monsters have been trapped for years. Toby Fox made Undertale. There are lots of different characters and enemies.

When you're in battle you have 4 options menus: fight, act, item, and mercy. The fight option is when you hurt the enemy, acting helps you mercy, items restore hit points, or help with your damage and defense. These don’t only affect the battle, but also they do affect gameplay. 

The game does have multiple endings along with Easter eggs and jokes. The music in Undertale is an amazing addition to the game. It fits the moments it is played. For example, there is a very suspenseful moment and the music shows it.

The mood is usually not too serious in most endings. But when it is, it has a great impact. You can interact with objects and monsters. Just remember, your actions do have consequences.