The loss of the head of the English Department led to a plethora of new teachers here at Arroyo Grande High School (AGHS). Five out of the new teachers hired this year are additions to the English department.
“I think being a first year teacher right now, my main focus is on doing the best for my students,” Rankin said.
First year teachers here at AGHS strive to find success for all of their students. Since the departure of Laura Wade, Rankin has become a new English 9 instructor. Ready to take on English with an extremely positive mindset.
“I really enjoyed writing poetry and reading poetry in elementary school. I got really into Edgar Allan Poe around that time and got into other things, like Rohld Dahl,” Rankin said.
Finding an interest in literature, Rankin wants to share the same love she has for literature with her students.
Due to growing up locally in San Luis Obispo California Rankin wanted to stay in the area, making Arroyo Grande a wonderful place to pursue her teaching career.
Rankin is an alumni here At AGHS, and was previously taught by the present head of the English department, Michael Callaghan.
“I’m really grateful to be at the school, and having graduated from here. It’s really fun to be back and to get support from teachers in the ways that I was supported here,” Vance said.
Throughout her time here, colleges and administrators provide Vance with the community she needs to give her best and most honest work as a teacher.
Vance believes learning English is to help students tell their stories well, and how english is an expression of their thoughts and experiences.
“How do we learn how to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and seek to understand someone else’s story whether that is the author’s story or whether that is the person across from you, stories are important. The world is made up of stories and so how do we tell them well and how do we listen to them well,” Vance said.
Hailey McLain, another first year teacher, has also found Arroyo Grande High School a very welcoming place.
“I feel like I have been very lucky in the time that I’ve been here. The admin, like every teacher that we have worked with here, has been super helpful, making sure that we feel welcome, and making sure that we feel supported and that has been amazing,” McLain said.
