St. Marys High School welcomed two new teachers for the 25-26 school year. First is Mrs. Kate Blaker, who teaches algebra 1 and college transitional math. We asked Mrs. Blaker six questions to get to know her, starting with “what made you choose to work at St. Marys High School?” she answered, “I was ready to get back to a small school environment.” Next we asked, “did you teach anywhere else before here, and if so, where?” She answered, “five years at PHS in Parkersburg, six years at Alexander JH in Albany, OH.” The third question we asked was, “what was your favorite class when you were in high school?” She answered, “I loved English class. Reading continues to be one of my favorite hobbies!” Then we asked, “if you weren’t a teacher, what would you do instead?” she answered, “Truthfully, I have no idea. I decided to be a teacher in third grade and never considered another path.” Next we asked, “ What is your biggest pet peeve in class?” Mrs. Blaker answered, “Rudeness!! There is just no reason to act like a jerk in my classroom.” Lastly we asked, “what is the funniest excuse you’ve ever heard for late work?” she answered, Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten any that are very exciting. I will note though, leaving school work near a toddler sibling often doesn’t end well!”
The other new face at St. Marys High School is Mrs. Emmalynn Olaru who teaches multiple art courses. We asked Mrs. Olaru the same questions we asked Mrs. Blaker. Mrs. Olaru answered the first question by saying, “I needed a change of pace. After visiting St. Marys High School, I felt like it was the right time to switch from teaching elementary to high school students.” Replying to the second question she said, “Yes, I taught full-time in Tyler County for the last six years. I taught at both of the counties elementary schools: Arthur I. Boreman and Sistersville Elementary School. Next she answered, “Big shocker…art class!!” Then Mrs. Olaru answered, “If I had sufficient means, I would have an art studio, and devote all my time to my own practice.” Mrs. Olaru said her biggest class pet peeve was, “Chomping on gum.” Lastly, she answered the last question saying, “Good question…I’m not sure that I’ve heard anything firsthand that was super funny. However, I did hear about a student who left artwork out on her living room floor; overnight, her mother’s Roomba vacuumed over the work, destroying everything in it’s path.
