Changes include newcomers, reassignments<br>

Like many Bright Angel students, those enrolled in the camp were less than enthusiastic about the traditional classroom experience. Greg said his energy and his belief that all students have the ability to succeed are strengths he will bring to the program.

“My approach is to focus on different types of intelligences, engage the kids and keep them active and interested in class,” he said. “It’s the teacher’s responsibility to find the avenues.”

Greg holds a bachelor of arts in political science and educational studies from Knox College and attended Western Carolina University where he had cerification in learning disabilities added to his teaching certificate.

Karen Cain, kindergarten: Because of her background in early childhood education, Karen was first interested in an open position at the Kaibab Learning Center. But as Greg inquired about the instructor’s job at Bright Angel Academy, she learned that Grand Canyon School’s full-day kindergarten program needed a second teacher.

Her teaching experience includes working with Head Start in North Carolina. There, she learned the importance of early learning experiences on a child’s attitude toward education.

“I want kids to have fun while they work. It’s their first experience in school and you want to make sure they have fun,” she said.

Karen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in education. She also holds a masters degree in counseling.

Sarah Christian, second grade: Sarah comes here from Granby, Conn., where she taught at a Montessori magnet school, but she’s no stranger to the region. She earned her degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and attained her Arizona teaching certification while she was here.

Coming back has been a homecoming of sorts, as well as a wish fulfillment.

“I’ve always wanted to work in a national park,” she said. “I’m happy to be here. It’s awesome.”

She believes her background with non-traditional schools, including the one on Granby, and with a multiple-intelligences magnet school in Indiana while with AmeriCorps, has prepared her for Grand Canyon’s small setting and adoption of the International Baccalaureate program.

“I’ve enjoyed working with magnet schools,” she said. “It’s neat to see how different places implement different philosophies. I enjoy working with different philosophies and ways to provide and teach the whole child.”

Laura Kelso, fourth grade: Though she spent the last school year working as the administrative assistant in the superintendent’s office, the longtime elementary school teacher’s aspiration has been to return to the classroom. This year, she fulfills that wish as the school’s new fourth grade teacher, replacing Peggy Fuhrman who took a new education position in Page, Ariz.

She and her husband, Grand Canyon School principal Bob Kelso, arrived here about a year ago from Millsboro, Del., where the couple worked for 12 years in education. Laura is originally from California.

“When I came here, I wanted to teach,” she said. “I like the energy in the classroom. I like to work hard and have fun while I work.”

Because of her husband’s position, Laura was selected for a job in the administrative office rather than in the classroom. To keep in touch with students, she volunteered as a coach for one of the school’s Odyssey of the Mind teams, a role to which she brought several years of previous experience. About halfway through the year, she was told she should consider returning to teaching.

Her classroom experience includes five years of teaching gifted and talented students in grades one through five, and teaching grades three through five.

“I like to teach kids strategies,” Laura said. “As adults, we take what we know and use strategies to apply it.”

She plans to help students strengthen their reading skills, along with their research skills.

“I want to put a lot of focus on research,” she said. “There’s a lot of information available. Students need to know how to assimilate and evaluate that information.”

David Kruchoski, middle school math: David comes to Grand Canyon from Wisconsin, with an eight month detour to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where he taught adults at the Army Intelligence School.

Before embarking on a teaching career, he worked at Los Alamos in New Mexico.

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in geology and received his teaching credentials from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire.

After that, he taught fifth grade at Los Alamos.

“I believe in starting where the kids are at, and helping them build upon their knowledge,” he said. “I believe in helping kids discover their knowledge rather than force-feeding them.”

Jeri Syrkel, Administrative Assistant: Jeri, who has been in the community for a little over a year, has moved into the position vacated by Laura Kelso.

Last year, she worked as a Native American instructional aide, tutoring students in grades one through 11 in reading and English.

She originally applied for an elementary teaching position but accepting it would have meant the former high school teacher would have had to attain certfication to teach the lower grades.

Instead, she will put her background as a business teacher to work in the school’s adminstrativ eoffice.

She and her husband, who teaches high school computer classes, are originally from Phoenix but they have always loved Grand Canyon and have traveled here often since the 1970s to hike. They first applied to work and live here 20 years ago, but an opportunity didn’t pan out until last year.

“We realized that it’s a small school in a small community and the chances of getting a job wasn’t too likely,” she said. “But then this worked out and God opened the door.”

Shannon Wood, high school English and yearbook: For Shannon, teaching high school English is the culmination of a dream she’s held since her own high school days after being influenced by one of her own English teachers.

“Since 10th grade, I’ve wanted to teach high school English,” she said. “I’m very excited.”

She plans to bring that excitement into the classroom, where she will have students choose the works they’ll read and study. She also plans to challenge her students to read and write every day.

She’s been a member of the Grand Canyon community for a little over two years and worked last year as a kindergarten aide providing support to English Language Learners. While she had originally eyed the opening for a kindergarten teacher, she was approached about taking the position vacated by Marcus Fuhrman.

Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in literature and writing studies from California State University at San Marcos.