There are many new staff members this year at Davenport West High School, one being Molly Quinn, the new ELA teacher. Even though this is her first year at West this is definitely not her first year teaching. She’s taught at four different high schools, West being her fifth. To become the teacher she is today Quinn got a bachelors in English, then later got her masters in English education.

 One of her favorite things about West so far is, “I think that there’s quite a bit of urge to have school spirit. I’m not sure how effective it is yet, but I think that the staff truly want the kids to be involved. So I think that’s pretty awesome,” Quinn said.

Some things that she enjoys doing outside of school include, “I enjoy cooking and baking. I also have three kids and enjoy spending time with them,” Quinn said. 

Her daughter is a freshman this year here at West, and this isn’t the first time that they have been at the same school. When Quinn taught at Wilton she was teaching in the high school section, while her daughter was in the junior high part. Although it’s an extremely small school, they saw each other often. Having a high school daughter has its challenges but, “I wouldn’t mind having thirty minutes, all to myself in the morning, instead of listening to her whine about being up too early. It’s not bad most of the time,” Quinn said. Overall she is very excited to be a part of the West High community.

As the new year rolls around so does the new incoming staff here at West. Every year West returns the following year with new teachers and paras, however it’s less common to see new administrators walk through the doors. Nicole Talbot is the brand new addition to our administration staff. She’s the new Associate Principal and can’t wait for what this school year has to offer. 

Talbot has previously been at Central High School and Smart Intermediate for the last eleven years acting as a business basics teacher, student council advisor, marching band director, SAM, and associate principal. Talbot recently moved from Smart intermediate due to personal conflicts as well as looking for what’s in her family’s best interest.

 The decision to switch was not hard for Talbot as she sees this new opening as an opportunity of a lifetime, “I was super excited because I always have loved high school but also because while being at Smart for six years a bunch of the kids that I had down there go to West. I was going to be able to transfer with them and watch them continue to grow,” Talbot said.

Overall Talbot is a very dependable figure in the building who is keen on growing relationships with her students, “I build those relationships where everyone feels that they are safe, and that they have someone they can go to. I always look for the best interest in our students and try to help them whenever possible,” Talbot said.

Mr. Gillespie is new to West and to teaching but is not new to working on school campuses. Before coming to West, he worked at various schools as a behavior interventionist. Even earlier than that, he worked as a cartoonist for various companies, writing and drawing comics for companies including DC Comics and the WWE. He earned his degree in Studio Arts at Buena Vista University and is currently earning his Masters in Arts and Teaching at Morningside University. 

When Mr. Schaeffer left, Mr. Gillespie took his place, a position that required some big shoes to fill. “I’ve heard from students and from staff that he (Schaeffer) left a pretty big void to fill, which is intimidating; all I can do is do my own thing, and hope I build the same legacy,” he explains. 

Out of all art, he enjoys drawing the most, but also enjoys Woodblock printmaking, as well as lithography, which he did a lot of in college. He describes himself as a ‘huge nerd’, and he enjoys Dungeons and Dragons, which he’s been playing since he was a little kid. However, he also enjoys fishing, hiking with his dog, and other outdoor activities. When his comic book career began falling through, he wanted to find a new career while also staying in the art world. This eventually led him to becoming a paraeducator and substitute teacher. When he realized how much he enjoyed the school environment, he chose to pursue his career in education, eventually ending up at West. 

He enjoys movies that can invoke a serious reaction from people, and his favorite book is “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy. “By the end of it, it was so transformative; it takes place in a post apocalyptic world, and at the end of it, I heard a bird chirping outside, and it took me a second to remember, oh yeah, it’s not like this ashen wasteland outside.”

He is both excited about the response he’s getting from students, while also describing a feeling of imposter syndrome. Ultimately however, he is very excited for the start of the school year.

(Nolan Collins)

Mr. White is a new art teacher here at West, but he’s far from new to the campus. While it is his first time working at West full-time, he worked last year at both West and Smart Intermediate. As for qualifications, he’s been working in the DCSD going on eleven years, and got his education at the University of Northern Iowa. He was born and raised in Davenport, and is happy to be able to engage in a career he enjoys while staying close to home. 

As an art teacher, Mr White engages with art not just as a career, but as a hobby and a passion. He enjoys all types of art, from drawing and painting to sculpting. He also enjoys going camping and hanging out with his family. He’s a big fan of Star Wars and says his favorite episode of the series is Return of the Jedi. Overall, he’s excited for this school year, and already feels at home here at West High.

Erica Ralfs is a social studies teacher at West High School, and this is her first year of teaching. She went to St. Ambrose where she got a bachelor’s degree in secondary history education, and she is also endorsed in K-12 ESL, which is English as a Second Language. Ralfs is the head softball coach at West, which she believes has prepared her for teaching by making sure she holds her kids to a high standard and making them feel comfortable in the classroom. Outside of West and in her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, yoga, weightlifting, hiking, and crafting. She chose to teach at West because of her strong connection to the West end as she grew up right down the street and she desires to make a positive impact with her students by valuing character and hard work over academic achievement.

“So teaching at West so far is pretty fun. Thanks to the students and my department, they’ve just been able to help me adjust very easily. So so far, it’s very, very fun,” said Catherine Lindley, one of the newest teachers at West High School. After spending roughly six months as a student teacher, Ms. Lindley completed her four and a half years of college. Ms. Lindley is excited to see her students this school year at extracurricular activities like football games and dances. She wants to witness the students being authentic and enjoying themselves. Ms. Lindley claims that she has always loved working with children and that she got her start in education from her mother, as her mother was a teacher herself. One of Ms. Lindley’s interests outside of school is being involved in the community, such as going to the farmers market. 

This is Joe Lafrenz’s first year teaching in Industrial Tech. Even though he doesn’t have any degree, he has over nine years of experience in this field of work. Lafrenz went to Davenport Central High School but completed his welding class here at West with Mr. Zinn.

Mr. Lafrenz does not plan on leaving West anytime soon. He plans on attending many football and basketball games so make sure to look out for him. Also, Lafrenz enjoys things like drag racing and dirt track cars that he usually rides at the fairground racing other people. 

Lafrenz said he’s very excited for his first year in teaching, “I’ve been having a pretty good time. I’m excited to bring a bunch of new things to West, and show stuff they haven’t seen before,” Lafrenz said.

Ms. Angela Senne has taught at many different schools; she has a special education degree and a health and physical education degree. She attended Crookston High School. Ms. Senne plans on staying here at West for as long as she sees that she is still leaving an impact on kids’ lives. Ms. Senne enjoys art and though she is looking to support every after school activity she plans on attending the art and theater events. With 19 years of teaching behind her, she is using that experience to begin her teaching stamp at West. ”I feel comfortable, I felt pretty good up there. I’m kind of stepping in for Ms. Gascho. So I was a little nervous at first, but I think it’s going okay,” said Senne.

Here at West we welcome a new family consumer science teacher, Suzanne Lehn.  Lehn has a bachelor’s degree in family consumer science teacher education. So far her experience at West High School is off to a good start, “It’s great! I have taught in Davenport district before and the kids are fun and enthusiastic. It’s going well so far,” Lehn said. If you’re ever in her class make sure you don’t use any bad words or inappropriate language, it being one of her don’ts in class. “A lot of them already know I don’t like the bad words, so that’s something they’re working on in my class,” Lehn said.

Lehn wants students to gain knowledge and valuable life skills that will help them in the future. “I want them to find something important out of it and hopefully carry that to their adulthood. Again, continue on the skills for the rest of their life, because it is important, cooking and child caring. If that’s something they want to do,” Lehn said. Lastly, outside of school her hobbies mostly include her family such as her two daughters, her husband and extended family.

The West High Vocal Music department has always been known for their hypnotic harmonies, though this year there has been a change within the choir room. Emily Martyka has joined our staff as a new teacher within the vocal music department. Martyka is from Roselle, Illinois, being a Cornell College graduate. 

Ever since coming to West, something that stood out to her was the school’s community. “Everyone’s willing to step in and help each other if needed,” Martyka said.

Outside of teaching Martyka loves to bake, as well as fixing up cars with her dad. She also really enjoys theater, and that is something she is bringing to West. “I will also be directing the musical. And yes, we’ll be announcing in a couple weeks what it is.” Martyka said. Directing isn’t something new to the teacher either, being a self titled theater nerd and having already directed five musicals so far. As well as being a chaperone for the school’s theater fest. 

Martkya has also been helping with the school’s show choir. It’s been multiple years since West’s show choir has competed at a junior varsity level alongside their varsity squad, and Martyka has helped make it possible. West’s junior Varsity show choir team, The Harmonics, will be competing under Martkya’s lead.