Page 57 - 1980

Giving hi* consumer skill* class extra time to work on their assignment, business teacher
Michael Barada answers a question for junior John Zurek This is Mr Barada's first year at A welcomed feeling
Ralston. He also teaches Typing 1,

hy don’t teachers come to Ralston to teach? We
W know why they do. Ralston seems to have many
advantages, such as a smaller enrollment so that the
teachers can get to know almost everyone.
“ I chose Ralston because I think the facilities, as far as
equipment, are much better," said science teacher
Duane Ross. “ Also I like the smaller classes.”
Before coming to Ralston, Mr. Ross taught ninth grade
biology for nine years at McMillian Jr. High in Omaha. He
said that he wanted to work with older students, and the
only way he could do that was by moving to a senior high
school.
“ I’ve always liked the small town atmosphere," said
business teacher Michael Barada.
Mr. Barada was previously the athletic director at Ryan
High. He says that teaching at Ralston is basically the
same as anywhere else he has taught, but he thought it
was time for a change.
“ I chose Ralston because I’m from the Omaha area,
and I’m familiar with the Ralston district,” said debate
teacher Leslie McGrew. “They also have a good debate
program and that is what I’m interested in.”
Ms. McGrew feels that the administration has been very
supportive, but she is a little surprised about how stu­
dents lack respect for their teachers.
Some substitute teachers don’t seem to enjoy their
jobs very much, but actually there are some who do.
Mrs. Mary Smith, a substitute, doesn’t want a full time
job because she has a family to take care of. She substi­
tutes because she enjoys it, and it doesn’t take that much
time away from her family.
“ I learn so much in one day that I sometimes feel like
paying the school instead of them paying me,” she said.
One substitute it would seem everyone knows is Mrs.
Ruth E. Short.
Mrs. Short has been substituting in the Ralston, Millard,
and Papi areas for over nine years.
Although Mrs. Short majored in mathematics, she has
substituted in every department. Recently she has been
substituting in the shop area.
“ I enjoy it,” said Mrs. Short. “ My husband is an engi­
neer, so I have a fair knowledge in machinery.”
Outside of substituting, Mrs. Short is involved in many
activities. She has 38 godchildren, which she signifies by
wearing a charm bracelet with 38 different tags. Each
one has the godchild’s name on it, and the date he or she
was baptized. She has been active in politics for 30 years
and has also traveled to 44 out of the 50 states.
“We always get a lot of applicants for teaching posi­
tions. I think it’s due to the fact that we do have an out­
standing school and a community that offers a lot of pres­
Portrait drawing isn't easy. First year art teacher Mike Daniels gives senior Lora Brozak some
pointers for her sketch. tige for a person in an education profession,” said assist­
ant principal Earl Taylor.

Substitutes, New Teachers 53