Holly Vansaghi (Paraprofessional/Student Council Advisor) Interviewed by Madison Durbin
What is her example of a goal you set and achieved?
- “When I graduated high school, I really wanted to work for Disney. It took a while to get there but I worked with Disney for three years. After that, I came back to the area and I really wanted to work in education. I am so proud that I have been able to achieve those goals.”
What would you be doing if you were not working in education? What made education a better career?
- “I would be working daycare or something with little kids. I like working with older kids and it definitely made it better because you can see their improvements throughout the school year. Also, seeing your own progress throughout the years can be so rewarding.”
What took you the longest to learn while working in schools?
- “Well everyone learns differently and we just have to find that way that works best. If it takes longer to find that then, that's okay, we will make it work. “
If you could go back to school and do it differently, what would you do?
- “I would get a bachelor's degree and see what I could do that.”
What do you bring to Altamont schools?
- “I bring a friendly face and Altamont pride because this is where I went to school.”
What accomplishments does she hope to achieve this year?
- “Make it through the school year first and foremost. I took over the student council this year so that is a big responsibility. I hope that I can make the student council amazing.”
Who inspired you to work in this education field?
- “Probably all the teachers I have ever had. I always wanted to be a teacher so the fact that I made it here was very cool.”
What was the training and schooling like for this job?
- I went to Lake Land for two years where I took classes in the human services field. A paraprofessional falls underneath that program.”
What is advice that you would give to Altamont students?
- “It's okay to not know what you wanna do after you graduate. You will figure it out but you will make the most of it while you are here. Just have fun.”
What would she encourage others about joining this career?
- “It's definitely rewarding to see the kids do so well and improve.”
Sara Berg, AGS/ACHS Band Director
- “Well, Altamont appealed to me because we don’t have football, so I knew I would not have to teach field shows, which is so much work and so much extra time outside of school. Also, after I actually interviewed here, I could tell it was a really good fit for me. It felt really similar to the high school that I grew up in.”
What do you find most enjoyable about working in education and what took you the longest to learn when working in education?
- “Well, I think every teacher can say when that lightbulb goes off and a student gets it. That’s probably the best. But also academic freedom and my schedule changes every day, so I’m never bored and I don’t have to sit at a desk job. That would be the end of me, I think. The most important thing to learn was to know what things to really fight for when it comes to your music program and when to let some issues go.”
What three words she would have used to describe herself in high school and how would you describe high school students today?
- “Smart, talented, and dedicated and I think they’re fun to be around, funny and smart.”
What accomplishment are you most proud of when it comes to teaching? Why are you proud of these accomplishments?
- “Winning the Oblong Spooktacular Parade and managing to keep the band program alive and growing throughout COVID. I heard so many sad stories about other band programs dissolving, or disappearing. In Oblong, there are so many bands in our class, but we also ended up being in the bigger classes that are most definitely not the size of our school. Some of these bands are in 2A or 3A, which were classes we should not be against, so it was pretty cool to get first place. It feels so good when I am doing something right, or maybe a lot of things right, because we managed to keep our band alive and thriving.”
What three words she thinks her students would use to describe her?
- “This is a hard question to answer, but I would go with dedicated, dependable and happy. I try to be in a good mood each day that I spend with her classes.”
What advice she would give to Altamont students?
- “Give 100% every day with whatever it is. Whether it be classes or extracurriculars. Find an occupation that you love because you’re going to be at it for a very long time, and if it comes to a job that you don’t love anymore, try to find a new one because they’re out there, you just have to look for it. I had to leave a job that I no longer loved in order to find one I am happy to spend the rest of my career in.“
What is one thing on your bucket list?
- “I’ve been been to Sedona, Arizona, and I hopes to go back more often because of the love I have for that place. I hope that I can one day have a winter home there.”
If you could go back to high school, what would you do differently.?
- “I wouldn’t do much because I was in several activities including softball and volleyball. I gave it 100% for the most part, so I don’t think there would be many changes to make.“
As 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 student's lives.
Robin Elam, ACHS Guidance Counselor (Interviewed by Brayden Elam)
“If you went back to school what would you have done differently?”
- I would go back for two more years in order to get my Doctorate Degree.
“What is an example of a goal you set for yourself?”
- I want to be more organized and on task so that I can help others and while making my job easier.
“What is one thing on your bucket list?”
- I want to see Niagara Falls in the next 5 years. We will be able to do that once our kids are out of the house and when we have enough time.
“What accomplishment are you most proud of?”
- I am most proud of the family that I and my husband had grown together. My kids are Brayden, Dillan, Evan, and Eli Elam.
“What does a rundown of your day look like?”
- Every day is different and I don’t have a typical day ever because it’s always a new challenge for me when I go to work.
“What advice would you give to Altamont students?”
- It’s very important to shadow whatever job you would like to have and to follow someone who is already in the career. That way you have a good understanding of the job.
“What’s a setback that you’ve had to overcome?”
- I had zero experience with education when I got the job. That was a tough challenge and it was hard to overcome.
“What would you say to encourage others to join this career?”
- It is a very fulfilling career and I get to help others every day.
“Do you feel like you’ve assimilated well into the Altamont culture?”
- Yes, I have many good friends in Altamont and get along well with the community.
“What is your favorite genre of movie? What is your favorite movie from that genre?”
- Definitely rom-com and my favorite is The Notebook (interviewer’s note: classic).
The teachers and staff at ACHS came to school Friday representing their Alma Maters in full force! Congratulations to our November Fun Theme Friday winner Ms. Lily Russell, who represented the Blackburn Beavers!
Thanks to Dr. Huey for supporting our Fun Theme Friday!
Congratulations to Mrs. Schultz, Mr. Kull, and Mrs. Lawler for being selected as this month's gold medal winners!!!
The ACHS Student Council is hosting the 2024 Homecoming dance on Saturday, December 7th! Check the information below for more details! Tickets will be $20.
Homecoming game is set for Tuesday, December 3rd v. Cumberland.
November 15 is School Board Members Day. Our board members spend multiple hours each month on district work,
attending meetings, and other responsibilities most will never hear or read about.
I want to personally thank all seven members of the Altamont School Board for their service to the district, our students, and the
Altamont community. Please join us in extending gratitute for all they do!
https://inter-state.com/myschoolcode
ACHS: 87917P
ACHS Seniors ONLY: 88597D
AGS: 88046Z
AGS Sports: 90068H
🏀✨ Exciting game for a great cause! Join us as the ACHS Girls Basketball Team hits the court for a special game benefiting Special Olympics! 💙👏 Not only will you get to cheer on our amazing athletes, but you’ll also be supporting an incredible cause that empowers athletes of all abilities. Let’s come together as a community to make a difference! 🌟
📅 Monday, December 9, 2024
⏰ 6:00pm
📍 ACHS Gym
👕 Show your support by purchasing a game-day t-shirt! Get yours here: https://ladyindiansballin24.itemorder.com/shop/home/
See you there! #ACHSHoops #SpecialOlympics #BallinForAll #CommunityStrong
Mrs. Cameron's first graders are exploring 2D shapes to compose new shapes.
Mrs. Miller's class enjoyed lollipops when learning about the letter L recently!
The ACHS Student Council hosted a Halloween Spirit week! Last week was filled with pumpkin cookies, a spider hunt, pumpkin and door decorating, costume contests, games and even flannel Friday!
Meet our new Bus #5 that arrived today months ahead of schedule!
Mrs. Miller's class talked about elections and how to vote. We read the book 'Duck For President' and had our own election. They made their own voter ID cards and dropped their vote in a ballot box. Duck won the election 13-2.
This is a reminder that there will be no school tomorrow, November 5th for election day.
Altamont Grade School invites you to share a photo of your veteran. We aim to create a slideshow to honor and recognize all the veterans and active military in our families. Please send your images to devans@altamontschools.org. Thank you so much!
Mrs. Cameron's 1st graders held a cookie election today! We taste tested oreos and chocolate chip cookies and then voted which one was better. The votes are in and CHOCOLATE CHIP was the winner!
Mrs. Wendling's class learned about elections and voting on Monday. They held their own mock election and voted for their favorite book character. The Pigeon was the winner and now gets to sit at the front of the room. 🗳️🇺🇸
AGS Weekly Athletic Schedule
More opposite day pictures! AGS had a fun week dressing up.
