The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder
See how well you know West staff by guessing their two truths and a lie.

Two truths and a lie: Teacher edition

Olivia Bradshaw, Staff Writer • March 27, 2020

Think you know the teachers of West High? While some of us may be shocked to learn teachers have lives outside of school, our teachers are filled with fun stories and incredible adventures. Take this quiz...

History teacher Aaron Bashirian plays a gig at a local fair in his hometown of Elroy, Wis. July 1998. “I would say [my music] is pop-y,” Bashirian said. “It’s a happy-go-lucky sort of pop. There are some rock elements to it but it really is just feel good, fun music.”

The road not taken: Aaron Bashirian, rock star gone teacher

Peyton Gaskill, STAFF WRITER • May 13, 2019

When West’s newest social studies teacher, Aaron Bashirian, graduated from college and got his degree in history, it would be almost two decades before he got to use it. Instead, Bashirian pursued his...

Writing Greek prose on the whiteboard, seniors Nell Jaskowiak and Deirdre Jost practice their letters and accents during their independent study. Taking Greek enables Jost to better prepare for a variety of possible futures, both through the content itself and the skills she retains. “Greek actually has a whole bunch of different accent marks which is not something you have in English,” Jost said. “I feel like I'd like to take [another] language, maybe Spanish or French, in the future and having learned the Greek language with different alphabets and different accent marks might make it easier to learn that language, whatever it may be.”

Growing through Greek: seniors Nell Jaskowiak and Deirdre Jost gain valuable life skills through independent study

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • April 2, 2019

The hallway is silent and still except for the occasional wanderer in search of the water fountain. A second glance finds seniors Nell Jaskowiak and Deirdre Jost settled on the floor by the Latin room. Jaskowiak...

Spanish teacher Lauren Bernstein promotes SeneGence tinted lotion to potential customers. After this year, Bernstein will be leaving the education field to pursue sales for these cosmetics. “This really provided an opportunity for me,” Bernstein said. “I do [feel empowered], both on the business sense of things and [the personal].”

Hóla oportunidades: Lauren Bernstein pursues her new passion for sales

Maria Newton, FEATURES EDITOR • February 22, 2019

After 14 years of educating, Spanish teacher Lauren Bernstein is leaving the field to pursue her new-found passion in SeneGence makeup and skincare sales. She started selling products for the company in...

Can you guess the teacher from their starter pack?

Can you guess the teacher from their starter pack?

Dani Fischer, MANAGING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • March 8, 2018

We love our teachers, and to show them how much we admire them we commemorated them in starter pack-form. We gathered images that represent each person, as well as quotes, and put them in a quiz for all...

ASL teacher Tiffani Symons signs to one of her students in her American Sign Language II class. Symons has been teaching for 17 years. "Students are only learning visually. I admire students who are up for this challenge, and my job as a teacher is to promote their learning and success," Symons said.

Getting to know American Sign Language teacher Tiffani Symons

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER • February 23, 2018

Pathfinder: What got you interested in teaching? Symons: “I wanted to be a teacher since I was in high school. I realized I wanted to teach deaf and hard of hearing students, so I became a teacher...

Horn poses with her husband, her son Braydon and her daughter Mylah at Quail Ridge Park in Wentzville, MO. “I am married [to] a teacher and coach, and [we] have two kids," Horn said. "So when I say teaching is my passion, I am not lying...I have surrounded myself with education.”

Getting to know math and Personal Finance teacher Andrea Horn

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER • January 9, 2018

What got you interested in teaching? “I can’t say there was anything in particular. I played teacher/school as a kid. I think it was just always a passion and dream of mine.” What class(es)...

Hopkins poses by the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. "From living in France, I learned to take advantage of each chapter of my life as much as possible, because it won't last forever," Hopkins said. "In each place you live, you'll have friends and opportunities that are unique to that time and place. I can't easily visit a museum of medieval art or take a train to Switzerland anymore, so I'm glad I did it when I had the chance."

Getting to know French teacher Blair Hopkins

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER • January 8, 2018

Pathfinder: What is your job? Hopkins: “I am a part-time French teacher. I do French I and French II, so I am here in the morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.” What got you interested in teaching French? “I...

Technology and Engineering teacher Chris Donaldson helps senior Jack Fox during the Day of Code on December 6. Donaldson teaches three courses, all involving technology and engineering. “I am most excited to see students try new things, build skills and develop strengths they may not have previously realized they had," Donaldson said. "[I want] to build positive relationships with students and staff and to positively impact students’ attitudes toward STEM concepts, classes and career choices.”

Getting to know Technology and Engineering teacher Chris Donaldson

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER • December 20, 2017

Pathfinder: What got you interested in teaching? Donaldson: "I had a few stand-out teachers in high school and college. What struck me is how they were able to take complex concepts, break them down...

Special Education teacher Nicole Sneed helps senior Nicholas Waldrop at a game of bingo. “My favorite thing about my job is the relationship I have with my students. I enjoy having inside jokes with my students as well as knowing their interests. It helps us connect and form a positive relationship," Sneed said.

Getting to know Special Education teacher Nicole Sneed

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER • December 14, 2017

What is your job? What do you do? “I am a special education teacher. I help students learn by evaluating their current ability, creating and implementing appropriate interventions and providing accommodations...

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