Each year Westerville South, as a community, experiences growth and change. This year, South welcomed five new staff members.

Dr. Garett Carter, the new assistant principal at Westerville South, revealed this year is his 12th year in education by working at Northmont Middle School in Clayton, Ohio, for six years and later at Indiana university in Bloomington, Indiana for another five years. 

However, this is Dr. Carter’s first year in administration. He mentioned his favorite part about South is the staff and students. “There is a strong sense of community here and it shows. I’m really happy to be a part of this,” he said.

Tyler Rutledge, joined the Science department, teaching IB Biology 1 and 2, material science, and physical science. Rutledge did his student teaching at South last year with Janet Pritchard, and he decided he really liked the community. 

According to Rutledge, transitioning to being a teacher was easier for him because he already knew administration and some students. Rutledge is also advising the new Diversity Club at South.

¨When I was growing up, there wasn’t much diversity in the teachers or students, so when I was a student teacher at South I saw the diversity and community within the students. I want to be someone who a student could look at and think ´Hey! He looks like me´ and feel more comfortable being at school,” Rutledge explained concerning his thought process in establishing the Diversity Club.

Mackenzie Stevens, new biology and physical science teacher, shared that both her parents are teachers.  “I’ve always looked up to what they do, and I’ve always wanted to help people so it was the best of both worlds,” she said. 

Stevens also explained she was attracted to the position at South because the relationship between students and staff is unique and something she’s never seen before.

Stevens explained the hardest part about her job is not seeing her students all at once and having to adapt to the new learning environment due to Covid-19.

A new English teacher, Jacob Miller, went to Ohio State to get his undergrad and masters and subbed for half the school year last year at Hilliard Darby High School before having his first full time teaching position at South. 

Miller revealed he chose to teach at South because ¨there’s so much diversity and opportunities here. The students are wonderful and extremely welcoming.”    He also commented on the variety of English courses to teach at South being another positive aspect.  

In the art department, there’s a new digital arts and ceramics teacher, Sarah Queen.  Queen lived in Santa Monica and taught private art lessons for six years, but she decided to move closer to her hometown, Canal, Ohio.

Queen revealed how this year has been different than she imagined. ¨Even though digital arts seems like it would be easy to teach online while students are at home, it’s actually the biggest challenge I’ve had to deal with,¨ she said.

Although teaching can be difficult currently, Queen’s drive for her students to succeed keeps her hopeful.