Altamont CUSD #10

Sheri Schafer, ACHS Family Consumer Science Teacher, FCCLA/FCA/French Club sponsor (Interviewed by Torey Overbeck)

“What made you want to become a teacher?”

I started out undergrad with my fashion design major. When I graduated with that major, I thought “I don’t want to go to New York” so I just got a job in hotel management. Eventually, I met my husband and took a job to stay in Effingham; that was managing a retail store and being a clothing buyer. My husband was a teacher and I thought “That gig sounds really good” and I considered being a teacher. However, I was afraid to tell my parents that I had to keep going to school. After I met him and saw how family friendly teaching was like, I knew I wanted to have a family and the idea of summers off were great. All the things I did, like, my undergrad degree, hotel management, and being a clothing buyer all are under family consumer science. I saw that all of my things I like to do kind of fall under that umbrella, so I went back to school to be a teacher at 29.

“Why did you choose to teach at Altamont?”

I had been at Neoga for 16 years and the program got cut because of financial issues. It was a strong program, so I was really sad. I looked for a job and I got one at Sullivan, but it was just part time. I was there for a couple years and asked them to go full time, and they said no. After that, I actually got a job at ALAH, which is Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond, but a couple days after they offered me the job, Mrs. Niebrugge and Mrs. Lurkins called me and said “Hey, we have an opening in Altamont you need to apply.” I knew that this job would be awesome because it’s close to home, and I wouldn’t have so much travel time. I applied and they offered me the job in the interview, so I called Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond. They were really gracious and let me back out of that job and take this one.

“What’s your favorite thing about Altamont High School?”

I love the size, it is very similar to Neoga. I just like the small town, the atmosphere, that even if I don’t have every student, I kind of still know every student. I love how supportive small communities are of their school. They tend to back up their teachers and show up and help when we need help at the school and I love that atmosphere of a small town.

“What are your greatest strengths as a teacher?”

I believe in what I teach. I believe what I teach is important and useful and helpful. I start every class saying, “You’re never going to wonder how you use this stuff. It’s all life skills.” I love hands-on stuff. I myself am a kinesthetic learner, like, let me do it, don’t tell me about it, let me do it. All my classes have that aspect of hands-on learning and actual skill that you will use again someday in real life.

“Would you say you have a weakness?”

Yes, I am a perfectionist. Sometimes I have to not be so hard on myself, and sometimes not be so hard on others. I tend to want things done right. Sometimes I need to just understand that everybody is at a different level of learning and be patient, but I have high expectations for myself and for others, too.

“What is your day like at Altamont High School as a teacher?”

It’s different every year, but it depends on my schedule. This year since I have first hour prep both days, I still get here early. I still get here probably 20 or 30 minutes before I have to be here because I like feeling ready. Especially with first hour prep now, I always have all my copying done, but then it’s bam, bam, bam after that. I have lunch and I have no other free time. Most of the day is that I teach, teach, teach.

“What is your favorite part about teaching?”

Relationships, getting to know kids, thinking that even if it’s just one kid a year that I maybe made their day or helped them learn something that makes them want to do a certain job or career and help them find their career path. If I just did that for one student every year, the fact that I might have impacted 30 kids by the time I retire, that’s awesome. Maybe, they wouldn’t have that adult in their life if I hadn’t been teaching.

“What advice would you give to Altamont students or any student?”

Don’t be afraid to try new things. I would also say, I tell my classes this. I took an aptitude test when I was a sophomore in high school. I don’t know, when you’re a sophomore and you’re like sarcastically “Oh, I’m gonna take a career test.” as if I know what I want to be when I’m 14 or 15 years old. I took it and I never really thought too much about it. Years later, my dad passed away and I was cleaning out my dresser at my old house. I found this aptitude test and my number one job I should have was home economics teacher. I didn’t pay any attention to it at that time and instead, I went and got a degree in fashion design. Then I was a hotel manager, then I worked at a pro golf discount, then a software company, and then I became a teacher. I might have found a more direct path if I had just listened.

As a part of Mr. Long’s Photojournalism class, students completed a short interview with different staff members of the district. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the staff that help make a difference in our students' lives.

Mrs. Niebrugge, ACHS Art Teacher (Interviewed by Brayden Elam)

“What would you do if you weren’t in education?”
Probably something with art. I don’t know, probably work at Hobby Lobby.

“What made you choose education?”
It was sort of my second choice. I was going to go into art therapy. How it worked was that you went to school for a four year degree and then you got a masters in art. However, the program was full. I tried again and got in the second time, but then I was already at home so I didn’t want to drive back and forth. I’m like, it’s meant to be that I teach art.

“What is one thing on your bucket list?”
Italy, I want to go to the Basilica of St. Peter’s.

“What do you bring to Altamont schools?”
Obviously, I bring an art education. Hopefully, I'm upbeat with kids and not somebody that’s always yelling at them.

“What do you want to accomplish here at Altamont schools?”
I have had several students that went on to be art teachers or something in the art field, so that is always important to me.

“On summer vacation, where is your favorite place to go?”
Colorado. I have family out there and I love the atmosphere like the mountains . So relaxing.

“What was the first job you had?”
Picking strawberries when I was in junior high.

“How did that job prepare you for the future?”
Patience, I guess excelling under the heat.

“What is your favorite genre of movie?”
Oh rom com definitely, they always have happy endings.

“What is a setback you have overcome?”
I would say, in the last couple years I've had surgeries, like with my hip and a tumor that I had.

“So how did that make you a better person?”
It very much humbles you and if a kid has an injury, you are more likely to help them or empathize with them.

“What are your favorite parts of your job?”
I like when you teach a kid how to draw or paint and then they realize that they're good at it. That’s probably one of my favorite things. When the lights go on and they enjoy what they learn and how to do it.

This year AGS introduced "Family Pods" to our students. Mr. Kull's Family Pod has been named the "Cheetos". Today, Mr. Kull went ALL out making this Halloween a fantastic one for his Pod Family by dressing up as none other than "Chester the Cheetah" and gave each of his student family pod members a Trick or Treat mini bag of Cheetohs.