For the new school year, we have gained many new staff members helping around the school. Some familiar faces, and some completely new. In this story, you will get to learn names, faces, occupations, and even some nice little information about each and every new member of the Chester High School staff. Each new member was asked three questions to help everyone get to know them better, they were, “How do you feel about Chester High School so far?,” “What made you want to take this career path?,” and “What are you most excited for this school year?”
The first member we have is Mr. Josh Adair, the new social studies teacher. His classes are U.S. History, Current Events, and Government. When Mr. Adair was asked how he feels about CHS so far, he responded with, “Everyone has made me feel welcome which means a lot to me. I feel like I have a lot in common with students here at Chester High School like hunting, video games, and music.” He decided to take this career path because he feels, “like school is the place I always felt most comfortable outside of home. Substitute teaching is where I first felt that I could make a positive impact, and it made me want to become a full-time teacher. Roaming around the classroom and assisting students as they learn is what I enjoy most.” The interview then ended when Mr. Adair stated, “I am most excited to learn more and more about my students as the year progresses. My goal is to connect student interests with what is being taught in class.” Thank you, Mr. Adair!
Next up we have Mr. Greg Wiegand who teaches Intro to Ag, Ag Mechanics, Ag Construction, and Animal/Plant Science. Mr. Wiegand said, “I have enjoyed my start at CHS. Everyone has been a big help to me,” when asked about how he feels regarding CHS. He then followed it up by saying, “I enjoy teaching Ag because I grew up on a farm. I was active in FFA,” as an explanation to why he chose this career path. Things ended with him saying, “I look forward to helping build the FFA program.” Welcome to Chester High School, Mr. Wiegand!
Sir Arnel Ebio teaches Transitional Skills, Assisted Reading N2Y, and Co-teaches Computer Concepts, English 3, and 4. Sir Arnel says he “feels comfortable” at CHS, and that the “school vision and mission” is what made him wish to work here. We then ended the interview with Sir Arnel saying, “I’m excited to learn more about the staff,” regarding what he’s most excited for this school year. Let’s all greet Sir Arnel into Chester High School!
We also have welcomed Mr. Mert Dinç, whose classes includes English Tutorial (ESL), and co-teaches English 2 and 3, Physical Science, and Informal Algebra. First thing first, Mr. Dinç said, “I like Chester High School so far as the staff has been super welcoming and friendly to me. In addition, all of my students are interested in my classes and they willingly take part in my classroom activities, which makes me very happy. Thus, I can say that it is going pretty well so far.” The reason he took this career path is because he is an, “English Language Learner (ELL) teacher and I have my bachelor’s and master’s degree in this field. Since high school, I have always wanted to do this job as I like the idea of teaching someone a new language. As a novice teacher, I’m excited to see the activities, events that the school is planning to organize as I’ve never experienced such things before. One example can be the homecoming week we have in a couple of weeks.” We’re happy you have joined us at Chester High School, Mr. Dinç!
Next up is a very familiar face to anyone who went to Chester Grade School, Mr. Tim Lochhead. He came back to the Chester school district to be the P.E. teacher. Mr. Lochhead said, “I feel it’s a privilege to be able to come back to the school I graduated from and teach. The students have been very welcoming and respectful.” Glad we could make you feel so good about coming back here! Mr. Lochhead said the reason he decided to do this job is because he, “started out [his] career in Physical Education and then moved to Administration for about 28 years, so it is nice to be back in the gym with all the activities that are involved.” The interview ended with Mr. Lochhead said what he’s most excited about, “I want to get to know the kids and help out the community that has given me so much over the course of my 41 years in education.” Welcome back, Mr. Lochhead!
Another new staff member we have gained at CHS is Mr. Wesley Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter is a paraprofessional. Mr. Carpenter mentioned that, “It is nice to be back, I graduated from CHS in 2020 so it is weird to see all of my old teachers again.” He took this career path was because his, “entire family is in education and {he} enjoy the summers off,” which I think we can all agree that we enjoy the summers off. He stated that, “I’m excited to start my career in teaching and explore this opportunity that I had not planned for.” We’re happy you have come back to us, Mr. Carpenter!
We also have Mrs. Candis Choate joining us here at Chester High School, as a paraprofessional. Mrs. Choate replied to my question with, “I used to go here a few years ago and it’s so different from when I was here in many good ways! I can’t choose if I like it better here or the grade school because I have love for both but it was very scary starting here being so young! I thought I was going to get mistaken for a student!” We are overjoyed that Mrs. Choate has joined us back at Chester High School! “I took this career path while I’m in college to be a teacher and hopefully with the move from working at the grade school to here, I will be able to tell if I want to teach older or younger children when I graduate!” She also said, “I am most excited about getting to know everyone and learning about everyone here as they learn about me!” Welcome back, Mrs. Choate!
Next up we have Mrs. Rebecca Clendenin, also a paraprofessional for CHS. When I asked how she feels about Chester High School so far, she said, “I thought it was gonna be a hard transition from the grade school to high school, but really I already know most of the kids so it’s not bad, I really like it.” Mrs. Clendenin also explained that she has, “always worked with kids anywhere from birth to 8th grade so this year I just went with a little bit older kids and I really like the change.” The interview ended with her saying, “Just getting to know all the kids again and helping out where I’m needed most,” regarding what she’s most excited about. Welcome to Chester High School, Mrs. Clendenin!
We also gained Mrs. Katherine Diemert at Chester High School, a paraprofessional. Mrs. Diemert mentioned, “I really like the school. The staff and some students have made me feel welcomed.” She explains, “I have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. I have a granddaughter that was born very early and weighed 1 lb 9 oz . We were told she would struggle as she grows in many different areas. Yes, as she got older and into school it was a struggle. I prayed God would guide me in the right direction to help where needed. A Paraprofessional is where the calling is and I love and enjoy the students.” We appreciate you being here, Mrs. Diemert! She includes that she is, “ most excited about watching one of [her] granddaughter’s that attends CHS as a senior excel and achieve her goals and graduate along with other students.” Thank you, Mrs. Diemert!
Next up is Mrs. Kimberly Ketterer, Special Education Director, who is “excited to work at Chester High School. The staff have all been so kind and welcoming. The new construction in the building looks amazing. The students have been helpful and have helped me find places in the building.” We’re always glad to help, Mrs. Ketterer! She chose this job is because she, “wanted to help both teachers and students.” How kind is that! Mrs. Ketterer ended things by saying what she’s most excited for, “getting to know the students and teachers at Chester and helping them be successful.” We’re overjoyed to get to meet you, Mrs. Ketterer!
Mrs. Dina Chandler is the nurse here at Chester High School! “I love it here! Everyone has been so kind and helpful while I am learning my new position.” She follows with, “I love caring for people and helping them to feel better physically and mentally.” Mrs. Chandler, “I am excited to get to know the students and to watch their growth and progress throughout the school year.” Welcome to CHS, Mrs. Chandler!
Next up we have Mr. Matthew Seiber, who is CHS’s network administrator! He is, “impressed by the collaborative and supportive atmosphere at Chester High School. It’s clear that the school values growth, passion, and creating opportunities for both students and faculty.” He took this career path is due to his, “passion for technology and networking has been a driving force for me since I was in the 7th grade. Starting my career in this field at 19, I’m now excited to be working in a School environment. A college Professor, Mr. Schuetz at Southwestern Illinois College, once told me that schools offer the most friendly and team-oriented environment in (Information Technology) I.T. My experience here at Chester School District has proven that idea true.” The interview ended with Mr. Seiber stating, “I’m looking forward to building new relationships and earning trust within the district. I’m eager to contribute to a technology-friendly environment that promotes efficiency and supports the overall success of the school,” regarding what he’s most excited for this year. Welcome to CHS, Mr. Seiber!
And finally, we have Mrs. Cassie Vahling, the guidance counselor.“Chester High School has been very welcoming to me, the students are making this role very enjoyable.” She took this career path because she, “wanted to be in a position where [she] could improve someone’s quality of life. Whether that is helping them cope, solve problems, be an advocate or be that person’s support. I am most excited to meet the students, learn about their backgrounds or future goals and build those relationships.” We are excited to welcome you here at CHS!
That is all of the new staff members here at Chester High School, make sure to give them a warm welcome!