Issue 8 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

Job jumpers:staff members change careersby: kaley smitleyIn olden times, most Americansfollowed a predictable pattern of life.They grew up, were educated inpublic high schools and perhaps went on tocollege. Then, they got a job, which theykept right up until they retired around themandatory age of 65. Many workedin the same occupation, if not underthe same employer, from the age of 18until retirement.Today, nothing could be further fromthe truth. With new jobs created by thedot.com revolution and old ones beingphased out by the advent of thecomputer, most adults of today have helda variety of positions and worked undernumerous employers. For evidence ofthis change, look no further than HooverHigh School’s very own teaching staff.Mrs. Valeta Drake currently teachesEnglish, broadcast journalism andyearbook here at Hoover.However, before becoming a teacher, sheearned a B.A. in Speech/Communicationsat Florida State University.Her first job was as a sales representativeresponsible for shipping plants, and incustomer service for computer corporationsApple and Xerox.“Computers weren’t even in homes.They were the size of a table,” Drake said.After getting married, Drake made aconscious decision to give up working infavor of being a stay-at-home mother to herthree children.“I know career-wise I could have gonemuch, much farther, but I wouldn’t havesacrificed that time at home with myCONTINUED FROM PAGE 20The numerous specialized classes have also been a help to juniorDerek Curtis, a computer electronics student.“I really enjoy being in a more relaxed classroom environmentand being able to learn about something that really interests me;something I’ll look forward to doing in the future,” he said.Some students, like Piero chose their career and technical classesbased on what they knew they wanted to pursue in the future. Buteach student has a different reason for taking a career/tech. class.“The information we learn in class is used to prepare us to taketwo of the compTIA certification tests by the end of our senioryear,” Curtis said. “I’m planning on going on to something likenetwork administration or engineering, so attaining thosecertifications is an absolute necessity.”children for anything,” she said.Drake began a slow return to the workforce in 1990, working part time doingcomputer and graphic design work forvarious churches and clients. And then:“One day I saw a notice on the OrchardHill PTO board saying that ClearmountYour passion may changeover the decades, but theworld changes too. You don’thave to keep the same job‘til 65.Mrs. Valeta DrakeElementary needed a librarian. I likedchildren’s books, so I applied,” she said.She got the job. In the end, it would be astepping-stone to teaching.“Teachers at Clearmount began tellingme ‘You should be a teacher’,” Drake said.Deciding to heed their advice, Drakereturned to school in order to earn her teachingcertificate, taking classes at Mount Union.“I was taking classes with people thesame age as my eldest son!” she said.Drake believes that students shouldalways follow their passion.“Your passion may change over thedecades, but the world changes too. Youdon’t have to keep the same job ‘til 65.Develop an aptitude for change,” she said.Another Hoover teacher who has workedin a variety of occupations is Mr. JackBunnenberg, currently an english teacher.Prior to becoming a teacher, Bunnenbergwas a volunteer firefighter.“Almost every male in my family wasor is a firefighter. My dad, uncles, cousins,everyone,” Bunnenberg said.He also worked for a constructioncompany and at a mortuary.However, “I always knew I wantedto teach. Even in high school, I alwaysfigured I would end up teaching highschool English,” he said.Following his dream of becoming ateacher, Bunnenberg entered collegefor the first time at the age of 26.“It’s just as tiring as when I performedany other job. I think it’s because of thedecision making,” he said.Bunnenberg thinks too muchemphasis is placed on choosing a major andchoosing a college.“I don’t think there’s anything wrongwith being undecided as you enter college.After all, every young person is different.You’ll end up where you’re supposed tobe,” he said.Mr. Joe Martino, Hoover Chemistry andAnatomy teacher, worked as a respiratorytherapist before becoming a teacher. It wasonly after an old friend and footballteammate asked him to coach footballduring the summer that he developed aninterest in teaching.“Sometimes I wonder where I would beif I had never taken that coaching job,”Martino said.Wallace chose to take light and sound at GlenOak becausegraphic arts was no longer an option at Hoover.“When Hoover did away with graphic arts, I decided that lightand sound was something I wanted to get into,” he said. “I wasn’tdisappointed.”Most students involved in the career/technical programs at Hooverand those offered in the charter program agree that the programsthey’re involved in were a vital part of their high school careers.“[The vocational programs] are important because they allowstudents to learn valuable skills which then allows them to enter higherpaying jobs directly from high school,” Curtis said. “The programsalso allow those students who are plan to go on to college and majoringin a related field…to get extra experience.”03.04.05 u the viking views u21