By: Gabriel Lorenzo
As the school year winds to a close, four Northwest teachers prepare to depart: Jessica Brondel, Trevor Menke, Sara Olsen and Pamela Moritz. Here are their stories.
Jessica Brondel
What are your plans after leaving Northwest?
“I will be teaching Agricultural Education/FFA at Central City High School.”
How long have you been at Northwest?
“I have been at Northwest for 11 years.”
What kinds of activities were you involved in?
“I was the FFA Advisor, so we did a lot of community service (Adopt a Road, state fair, Ag Day, Husker Harvest Days, connecting chapters). The chapter also went to state and national conventions, district competition, fundraisers, career fair.”
What are some of the memories that impacted you?
“Definitely the students in the classroom and FFA. Most memories involve students. I will always cherish the thank-you notes I have received over the years. I liked to make up songs and sing them to students (they thought I was crazy, but I’ve been told some students used them in college to pass tests). Of course the staff relationships I will cherish.”
What are you going to miss most about Northwest?
“I will miss daily chats with my hallway teachers. I will miss the students and staff. I liked the staff homecoming king and queen (even though they did away with it and I was never queen).”
What advice would you give to students?
“Get involved in something and try something new (FFA … It’s fun). Laugh each day! Never complain, rather find solutions. Be kind. Everyone has something.”
Trevor Menke
What are your plans after leaving Northwest?
“I will be moving to Seward and joining Seward High School as a social studies teacher and head boys basketball coach.”
How long have you been at Northwest?
“I was at Northwest for four years.”
What kinds of activities were you involved in?
“During my time at Northwest, I served as assistant freshman football coach, assistant boys basketball coach (head JV) and assistant boys golf coach.”
What are some of the memories that impacted you?
“Truly just all the people I’ve met and relationships I’ve been fortunate to build here will last a lifetime.”
What are you going to miss most about Northwest?
“I am going to miss the students and staff. I was welcomed with open arms for my first year, and the students here at NW have been a blast to get to know. I’m very lucky to have had the opportunity to teach and coach here.”
What advice would you give to students?
“I would tell students to stick together and stay active. There is great culture here at Northwest because of how active kids are.”
Sara Olsen
What are your plans after leaving Northwest?
“My plans for next year is that I will be teaching at St. Libory and 1R. I won’t be at the high school anymore, but at least I still get to teach in the Northwest district.”
How long have you been at Northwest?
“This is my second year at NW.”
What kinds of activities were you involved in?
“I was involved with softball and track. I will still be helping out with both sports.”
What are some of the memories that impacted you?
“Being a young teacher I have had a lot of new experiences that will help me grow as a teacher.”
What are you going to miss most about Northwest?
“I will miss working with all the students and teachers.”
What advice would you give to students?
“Get involved in as many activities as possible.”
*Photos Courtesy of Jessica Brondel, Trevor Menke, and Sara Olsen.
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