Welcome back to CHS Chats! In this edition, the new teachers, Ms. Hempen and Ms. Donohue, reflect on their first school year at Carterville High School.

When the beginning of the 2017- 2018 school year started, Ms. Hempen and Ms. Donohue embarked on their first year of teaching at Carterville High School. Ms. Hempen teaches English I and English III, while Ms. Donohue teaches English I, English II, and High School Publications. Looking back on their first year, both teachers agreed that it can easily be described as two words: humbling and eye-opening.

Ms. Donohue had previously taught in Kansas for 4 years, so this school year was her 5th year of teaching. For Ms. Hempen, however, this was her first year of teaching. When asked about how she felt going into her first day on the job, Ms. Hempen stated, “Before I walked into the school on the first day, I was extremely nervous.” As the year progressed, both Donohue and Hempen had made new friends with co-workers and students and the hallways of Carterville High School became a part of their normal routine. Life at CHS for these new teachers did not seem so nerve-racking after all.

The two new teachers have made their mark by involving themselves within the school. Besides teaching, Ms. Hempen became the Assistant Girls’ Volleyball Coach, while Ms. Donohue became the Assistant Girls’ Golf Coach. Teachers by day and coaches by night, Ms. Hempen and Ms. Donohue, are easily making a positive and long- lasting stance in their roles at Carterville High School.

As their first year at CHS is coming to a close, Ms. Hempen and Ms. Donohue both agreed that this year will definitely be one that they will never forget. When asked to explain one of her most memorable first year experiences at CHS, Ms. Donohue described, “One of the experiences that I will always remember from this school year was putting together my High School Publications class. It was obviously very new for everyone, but it was really fun creating and developing the class.” Both teachers will continue to have opportunities to impact the students and the school in their coming years here.

On behalf of the students from Carterville High School, I would like to thank Ms. Hempen and Ms. Donohue for their passion, drive, and most importantly, for their patience they show when teaching and coaching their students. They have truly helped so many students, and it is without a doubt they will continue to positively impact even more students at CHS in the future. We wish you both the best of luck for your other school years to come!