Cross Country coach encourages students to never stop believing

 

Editor’s Note: When he’s not busy preparing for science classes, Mr. VanWyngarden likes to stretch his legs with other cross country runners and prepare to hit the track. Reporter Leslie Barocio Hernandez checked in with him to learn more about his interests.

By Leslie Barocio Hernandez

Question: What inspired you to be a cross country coach?

Answer: I'm already a long distance runner, and I wanted to share my enthusiasm with other runners.

Question: Do you teach anything other than Cross Country?

Answer: I also teach science classes.

Question: If you weren't a teacher or coach, what would you be?

Answer: I've been a yoga teacher before, also had my own business as a coffee roaster, and I also was a stay at home dad.

Question: Do you prefer teaching cross country or science?

Answer: I like of them for different reasons.

Question: As a teacher, what advice would you give to incoming 6th, 7th or 8th graders?

Answer: Feel comfortable and confident. Be yourself and try your hardest. Never stop believing in yourself. Sometimes things that are new and seem extra hard, but if you keep trying eventually those things start to get easy.

Story Thieves features fantastic action and plot twists to keep readers entertained

By Athena Henson

Story Thieves was published in 2015 by James Riley. Story Thieves is about a boy named Owen Connors and a girl named Bethany Sandersons. Bethany can jump into stories and can interact with the characters in the book.

There are five books in the series. In the first book, Owen sees Bethany jump into a book in the library after school. Bethany will do anything to make sure nobody learns her secret, so she makes a deal with Owen to take him into his favorite story.

Bethany agrees because she can look for her missing father while she takes him there.The book is very funny and the plot twist in the first book is really enjoyable. It is fun to see them go from being enemies to friends.

Some of my favorite parts are when they are jumping into other books and interacting with the other characters. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes fantasy fiction and adventure fantasy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Campus safety and helping kids are top priority for new staff member

Editor’s Note: Teontrae Davis (better known as Trae) started at Waldo this fall after working in in the district. As part of our Campus Safety team, he helps keep our building secure and reminds students about the importance of getting to class on time. Reporter Valentina Mellan caught up with Mr. Davis to learn more.

By Valentina Mellan

Question: Why do you like this job?

Answer: Because I like to get to know people from Waldo and help students be successful.

Question: What is it like being involved with security?

Answer: It is fun and interesting. We are always on the move to watch people that are skipping or not going to class.

Question: How long have you been working security within schools?

Answer: I worked one year before this.

Question: Which school is your favorite place to work?

Answer: Waldo!

Question: Why do you like Waldo?

Answer: Because it is a good environment and most students are respectful. I also love the black and yellow Mustang flags.

Campus Security staff member likes joking with kids, working as part of a team

 

Editor’s Note: Reporter Italynn Michiuo caught up with Diego Fuimaono from Campus Security to learn more about his job at Waldo.

By Italynn Michiuo

Q: How did you get this job at Waldo and do you like your job?

A: I worked for the Campus Safety Department last year. I love that I get to keep the students and staff safe at Waldo.

Q: What are some good and bad things about working security?

A: It is a great staff with fun students. There’s lots of walking and using keys to help other staff. The bad thing is kids skipping and lunch time can be stressful. Sometimes kids are not listening. Also, the building is hot.

Q: How much do you earn?

A: I make good money, but the part that pays more is the relationships I can build with people at work.

Q: What do you see walking around the school everyday?

A: Kids sometimes try to skip, but there are also students striving to learn and be the best they can be.

Q: How do you feel about coming into work everyday?

A: I like work so I like to be here everyday. I look forward to seeing people and joking with the kids. I also like working with my security team.

Physical Education teacher likes to be active, dislikes waking up early

 

    Editor's Note: Ms. H (Helen Villagomez) has been working at Waldo for awhile, and this is her first year teaching Physical Education. Reporter Nina Mejia caught up with Ms. H to ask a few questions about her new job.

By Nina Mejia

    Question: Where did you work before coming to Waldo?

    Answer: I worked at a center for children with autism called Adventures with Autism.

    Question: Why did you want to work at Waldo?

    Answer: I wanted to work with kids in middle school.

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

    Answer: I like to be active in Physical Education, but I dislike waking up early.

    Question: When were you born?

    Answer: I was born in September of 1996.

Counselor discusses importance of Hispanic Heritage Month

 

By Jennifer Hernandez Cruz

Editor’s note: According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as Hispanic Heritage Week, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. 

The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Staff at Waldo Middle School, including Counselor Lupe Mora, created a vivid display for our school to recognize and honor the contributions and culture of Hispanic people. Reporter Jennifer Hernandez Cruz caught up with Mrs. Mora to find out more.

Question: What part of Mexico are you from?

Answer: I am from the town of San Nicolás in Michoacán.

Question: What made you decide to help create this display for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: I wanted people to know more about Mexico and to instill a deeper respect for our culture.

Question: Do you like working at Waldo?

Answer: I love working at Waldo!

Question: What is your favorite part of your job?

Answer: I like talking to students and listening to them. A lot of people do not have anyone to talk to.

Question: What is your dream job?

Answer: My dream job is to work for S.A.S.A.

After the interview, Mrs. Mora added this statement regarding her work:

I have a great passion for my job as a school counselor! I love working with students and parents. I want to give them the support I did not have growing up in Los Angeles. It took me a while to figure out what my passion was (what I really wanted to do). My Bachelors Degree is in Business Administration and Accounting but when I move to Oregon in 2006, soon after I  was hired with the Salem Keizer School District. I worked for a few years very close to some amazing and dedicated school counselors. After much thinking and encouragement, I decided to go back to school and pursue my Masters in School Counseling. I don’t regret it a tiny bit. Being a school counselor was exactly what my heart was looking for and being at Waldo makes it even better.

Ode to October

By Jason Jones

School starts in September

They say it's fall, but it's not

New classes, new faces, new everything

Will I make it to October? Maybe

 

Memorize scores of names for faces

Sisters and brothers from years gone by

Meeting and teaching and surviving

Have we cleared September? Not yet

 

Clouds roll in and rain comes, too

Temperatures fall and moods improve

Think about hoodies or even light jackets

September is leaving, and true fall is near

 

Halloween decorations pop at the office

Pumpkin cookies and apple cider appear

That first paycheck in months finally arrives

It's October, my friend. You made it

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.”

 Waldo Athletics Schedules, Fall 2022

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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.